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Y'know, Bruce... while I found "Awakenings" fascinating, it didn't convey to me what I know my fellow Parkies go thru each day in their respective lives. It didn't show the struggle to exist outside in the "real world," with all the little aggravations that take on major proportions due to the disease - silly little oh-so-frustrating things like trying to tuck in a shirt or blouse and have your hand stick inside the waistband of your slacks. Or raising a glass of water to your lips and finding the front of your shirt all wet 'cause your tremor caused the water to slosh over the sides of the glass. The movie depicted the lives of individuals who lived permanently in the sheltered atmosphere of a hospital environment. They had a Parkinson's Syndrome caused by the flu epidemic in 1918 or there abouts. That's a LOT different than how most - if not all - of us are living and different than how most of us ended up with PD. Mind you, I'm not putting the movie or Dr Sachs down at all. It's just that I feel Hollywood ISN'T "real life." Barb Mallut [log in to unmask] ---------- From: Parkinson's Information Exchange on behalf of Bruce Warr Sent: Saturday, November 29, 1997 6:38 PM To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN Subject: Visabilty> Barbara, I agree with you that PD is an under-recognized disease. As I have mentioned on more than one occasion, the students in my Office Automation class get quite a lot of information on PD. They can see the problems I have with walking and grasping things, mobility, and the on-off phenomena. One thing that has also helped is that "Awakenings" has been shown on TV and cable several times this past three months. Several of my students watched it who otherwise would not have had I not had PD. The same thing was true when Dr. Sachs lectured at the university. I realize that not all of us are as out-going as I am (would you believe that I was extremely shy in my youth?) but if all of the PWP and CG would take a little time to educate those around them about PD then it might not be such an obscure disease. (Of course I realize that another factor, especially for Young Onset PWP, that would make them reluctant to advertise the fact that they have PD would be its effect on getting/keeping a job.) Bruce 56/9 Sinemet CR and Mirapex <Now known as Alpha Centauri on the #parkinsons chat channel> * My mind is already made up...don't confuse me with the facts! *