Subj: Re: Who do you tell? Reference to the PD pins, do you have an address? To be silent is submit to "shame" and I've had enough of that from my own silence after having served in Viet Nam. The public is going to know, but probably their knowledge will be based upon their limited medical concept... and if you don't "tell them", they will form their own conclusions and most likely look at you with pity....or worst. Is that what you want? I do not... I may apologize for my distracting tremor, but I go on with what I have to do and that seems to work best. I believe that they see that when it doesn't bother me then they can bear with me. I find many want to understand more. That's one of the problems, we don't talk about it--like so many other things--look at what a problem we have when we shun an education and go by word-of-mouth. As far as employment goes, even with all my credentials (i.e., MDiv., MEd., NCC, LPC, and over 25 years experience in the field of counseling, I haven't been able to get a job since I completed my second masters in 1993 except private contracting. Now, at age 61, I may have to apply for Social Security disability, but I am not going to stop my private practice, although I may have to start doing that on the internet if I can get some of the problems worked out. I identify my self as a PWP. Am I proud of being a PWP, no....but I am proud of those who are my comrades with Parkinson's, who are surviviors and great people in spite of their situations. And I am not ashamed! I responded to this subject previously but I don't think it was posted. I include it now. I'd be proud to wear a pin.... Subj: Re:Who Do You Tell? Tell the World! Date: 97-04-27 11:30:10 EDT From: Namvet6970 To: [log in to unmask] Why tell the world? Because we care. As we touch others, we help ourselves and others to heal...we touch and are touched and we know we are not alone! We share our stories to warn, to provide information that not only helps other caregivers and comrades of PD, but provides neurologists, doctors, and other professionals, who know about and care enough to read this list, with information that may help us all in the future. As we share our stories we learn that there are differences --- in meds, in symptoms, in pain, in coping, in possible causes, etc. -- yet we are similar. Whether from Agent Orange, massive blows to the head, well water, genetic predisposition, toxic chemicals within or from without, or by other means, as we 'tell', we learn. .....we have hope...... I share my (ongoing) story and it can be read on Jerry's Web Site under:Cry for Help Read the story of Moss first. http://www.phoenix.net/~jfinch/ Jerry's stories and the writings (i.e., poems, humor, etc.) on the list, help me get in touch with where and who I am--and was...... I hope my story helps someone else. Welcome Home. Shaking, but 'still' in His service, Rudy [log in to unmask]