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Joy..... I think that's great, and I commend you stubborn-I'm-not-gonna-take-this-any-more Aussies! (Barb tips virtual hat towards "Down Under," ) <wherever "Down Under" is....> (smile) By the way... I've got an appointment on Thursday, April 24th, with UCLA Med Center's Dr. Gerald Berk for an evaluation in order to get the collagen injection into my vocal cords. I've been trying to find out if they'll go ahead and do it the same day or not, since UCLA claims it's a 5 minute procedure. I'd prefer to do the whole thing... evaluation and injections in one office visit, If for no other reason than the parking at UCLA is $5 each time I'd go there! YIKES! <grin> Since the beneficial effects of the initial injection lasts 3 to 5 months, (tho longer with subsequent injections), I'm REALLY going to push Kaiser-Permanente (my outstanding HMO... that's "outstanding" relative to other HMO's I've belonged to in the past) to make this procedure a regularly listed treatment for Parkinson's patients. There IS a big difference between paying a $3 co-payment and popping for $500 each time one gets the treatment!! Frankly, IF I hadda choice, I'd much rather take that $500 to the mall! <grin> I will, of course, report back to our List members after I see Dr. Berk on Thursday. Barb Mallut [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Parkinson's Information Exchange On Behalf Of Bob & Joy Graham Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 1997 4:15 PM To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN Subject: Re: FW: Collagen voice treatment Barb Mallut, >I'm going to go ahead and get the collagen injections I look forward to hearing how this goes. I have circulated the info on collagen injections to our Speech Pathologists here in Western Australia. it seems it was news to them.. Great if this is something else of value for PWP. I have some good news to share too. Following the success of the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment Workshops in Perth last September, when we "trained" twelve speech pathologists in the technique, most major teaching hospitals are now offering the course, and there is a waiting list. Even better, one of our smaller hospitals (Osborne Park Hospital) which has an excellent geriatric rehabilitation centre and a huge interest in LSVT, have just appointed a half time SP to do LSVT with PWP. We are all keeping our fingers crossed that they can get a grant to make this an ongoing project and buy more equipment. Our local Association has been instumental in helping to get this going. We CAN make a difference! Anyone from WA can attend OPH for the LSVT, so if you are interested, call the Speech Pathology department on 09 346 8129 to register your interest. Incidentally, my husband is halfway through an LSVT course. He is getting better, and I find it sure helps to be able to be more relaxed with conversations -- not always having to think -- I am going to have to work hard to interpret this, or ask him to repeat all the time. Joy Graham (CG Bob, 57, 8yrs)