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Dear Charles, Who are we to say this man is wrong. Let him come to terms with his lot in his own way. To withhold support is just as bad as forced feeding, flogging, the poor house etc etc. In any society freedom of choice should be paramount, but particularly in a rich one. Which medication would he have to take, should he be forced to take it if he feels nauseous etc etc. I doubt if the money will make him rich. He probably paid some social security contributions, he has the right to take out something that he put in. No doubt he will die quicker and save money in the long run, or will someone insist on infusions, tubes, electronics? Perhaps with a shortened life span, he will only take out in proportion to what he put in. Give him the dignity of freedom of choice, its the least he deserves. Me, I'll pop the pills and keep on working paying an average of 45% in direct taxes on my income (I'll be living in Norway soon). I don't agree with this mans choice, but its his to make, it does not really affect anyone else. Apologies if this sounds harsh, but these are important issues. Yours respectfully David Charles T. Meyer wrote: > > HI Bonnie, > > I have comments on the 45 yo man who has chosen not to take PD meds and > is applying for SS disability. It certainly is his choice as to whether > he takes meds but the society has the right to set the qualifications > for disability payments as for the patient to be cooperating with > generally accepted medical treatment. This man likely could still be > working (and much more comfortable and functional) if he was taking an > agonist or l-dopa. I don't think he has the right to expect society to > support him financially if he refuses generally accepted treatment and > then is disabled because of that refusal. > > Charlie > > Bonnie J. Rupert wrote: > > > > Hi everyone, > > > > I have 2 questions from Support Group members- > > > > There is a young gentleman in our support group who has been diagnosed > > approx. 5 years and he is 45. He has never taken a medication for > > Parkinson's -- He believes in vitamins and herbal therapy. His PD is > > interfereing in his daily life. He has applied for SS Disability and > > has > > been turned down on the basis that a doctor decided he "should" be > > taking > > meds. Do we not have a choice how we treat Parkinsons? He certainly > > has > > no medication side affects. > > > > Also, there is a Lady in our group who is elderly and her concern is > > that > > her left foot freezes - sometimes her right also. Her question is what > > are some of the ways people handle this. She also has trouble backing > > up > > and she would just like some input. > > > > Thankyou > > > > Bonnie R. 56/3 > > -- > > CHARLES T. MEYER, M.D. > Middleton, WI > [log in to unmask]