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David, The statements were meant to provoke thought and feeling. I do not regard the reply as harsh. It is in fact a position that I have taken at other times in my life and may take again (who knows?) But there are social and fiscal realities that must be taken into account. Please read my most recent post It is essential that differing points of view be posted. Thanks again for your comment. Charlie David Havard wrote: David Havard wrote: > > 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] -- CHARLES T. MEYER, M.D. Middleton, WI [log in to unmask]