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Pasted below, is the ASCII-conversion of Dr. Barber's WordPerfect document. Best, Bob ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I have hesitated to give my opinion on the matter of "Unification of NPF, APDA, PAN, and other organizations" I do not suffer from PD, but have worked as a clinical and social psychologist in a variety of ways, from Psychoanalytic Oriented Psychotherapy to Police Department Psychologist. My 68 years of living have given me some experience to present an additional point of view. Allow me to state, that for the most part, I do think unification of the organizations will be impossible, unless certain conditions are in place. The easiest would be an economic situation that threatens these organizations, and they then would be forced to merge into a larger unit for survival. Although the idea of mutuality is a wonderful intellectual motivation, it rarely motivates. We must not forget that emotion most often wins over rationality or reason, and there is a lot of emotionality in the presence of various organizations with a number of people whose economic and political needs are being met by such individual groupings. PD organizations, in the sense of collective units are really no different than other groups or organizations. I have sensed, reading many of the well thought out postings, that the wish for unification take place, but I think that will not happen, but I also read that some folks want to have an organization of PWP that will be free of the political aspects and political fighting which accompanies these multi-organizations. The reason for multi groups in the first place was some significant needs not being satisfied. It seems to me that there already is an organization that can meet the stated interest. The organizations includes a majority of PWP, it is truly international, it consists of many highly capable people, it has a communication net work that has demonstrated it vitality, and most importantly it was established to do the very things that are being discussed. This organization is a product of democracy based on ease of entry and exit. All members, with only rules of conduct, have full entry. We are not bound by geography or nationality but the impact of disease on our lives. If we are not bound by excessive needs of individual ego gratification, the nucleus and power is here and can work to be a significant force. This organization has demonstrated such force. The Parkinson Information Exchange, in my opinion, is ideally set up to do what I think most folks want to do. Perhaps, just perhaps, we can give new meaning to the concept of the 5th estate. In summary what I am suggesting is using our strength, which in part, is our ability to use the tools of the Internet. ==================================== *********************************** ROBERT A. FINK, M. D., F.A.C.S. Neurological Surgery 2500 Milvia Street Suite 222 Berkeley, CA 94704-2636 USA Phone: (510) 849-2555 FAX: (510) 849-2557 WWW: <http://www.dovecom.com/rafink/> mailto:[log in to unmask] "Ex Tristitia Virtus" ***********************************