Dennis Greene..... BRAVO!!! <----- Barb stands up and cheers, whilst her neighbors wonder what the heck that dodo is doing all alone in her wee office cheering wildly!) <grin> Barb Mallut [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Parkinson's Information Exchange On Behalf Of Dennis Greene Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 1997 2:53 PM To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN Subject: Re: Billy Graham /cigars/motives Hi Deanne, You wrote: > > There's also the axiom: Do not demand as a right what can be asked as a > favor. which to my mind just about sums up this whole PD/Celebrity thing. I have no objection to WKPWP (Well Known PWP) being approached in a reasonable manner and asked to use their high profile to raise awareness of PD issues. The approach, to have any credibilty, should be made under the auspices of a recognized, representative PD organisation. If after their best endevours, the WKPWP choses to remain on the sidelines, then that decission should be respected. As we all know, things change, there is no reason not to raise the issue again after a suitable period. We can play the game of speculating as to the motives behind a WKPWP's decission not to involve themselves, we can speak of shame, guilt and fear. We know about them because we have all been there ourselves. Speaking only for myself - I found it hard enough to come to terms with PD, and my public profile is non existant. It took me years to reach a stage where I and my community found that wonderfull balance between rejection (which manifests as being ignored or shunned) and being pitied. Those of us who have worked through to this balance, know the joy of dealing with people who are aware of our problems, concerned for our welfare, and prepared to give us the space to retain our self-respect. Can you imagine trying to achieve that when your community comprises the world at large. How do you deal with a community which includes a media which has no qualms about using your private pain to boost ratings, which includes thousands if not millions of people ready to smoother you with their pity, which includes people like us, fellow sufferers, more concerned with using your name for 'the cause' then offering the support you desperatly need. Please don't anybody tell me that "the cause" justifies the tactic. Although we are a community we still suffer PD individually-when the cure comes we will be cured as individuals. Can we, in all conscience, as individuals, demand that other individuals sacrifice themselves for us. I think not. Dennis. ++++++++++++++++++++ Dennis Greene 47/10 [log in to unmask] ++++++++++++++++++++