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Hey Peter..... Ya missed seeing MOI at Loma Linda, too.... uhhhh.... by about a year and a half <smile>. I was there in October, 1994, where I became an "official" member of the "Hole in the Head Gang." I'd gone to Dr. Robert Iacono at Loma Linda to look into pallidotomy out of sheer desperation AND frustration due to the complete non-involvement and lack of current PD-knowledge of my own local neuro. At that point in my PD evolution I'd have gone ANYWHERE to get some relief! I just up and made the 1 1/2 hour drive to Loma Linda one day after calling Dr. Iacono's office and saying "I'm on my way there!" <blushing now at my chutzpah, but that's just how desperate I was> I thank God this one hasty decision was the right one 'cause that visit to Loma Linda changed my life in SUCH a positive way. Once there I met Don and Tony, finding both SO warm , caring, and nurturing that the sense of relief - of not being all alone with the disease any longer - was like an immense burden had been lifted from my shoulders. Tony Schoonenberg especially got me thru the two months between my initial exam and the actual surgery itself. He was THAT supportive. He was also there for my family the entire day of my surgery and that made the unbearable easier to handle for them. When I'd gone back to Dr Iacono's for post pallidotomy check-ups, there'd be Tony and Don Berns, still bringing their own very special and highly personal brand of support to those who came to Dr. Iacono from all over the world searching for PD-help just as desperately as I'd done. Both of these men - as different as each is from the other - KNOW what it's like to suffer from PD, and have a pallidotomy 'cause they've both "been there, done that," which sure makes a big difference when ya talk about PD support. They've both been "walking in our shoes." for a long, long time... Barb Mallut [log in to unmask] ---------- From: Parkinson's Information Exchange on behalf of Peter Kidd Sent: Friday, February 20, 1998 5:23 PM To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN Subject: Re: Attached chain-mail letter Barb, I agree entirely. Don is an old and early listmember and quite genuine. When my late wife, Moira MacPherson and I arrived at Loma Linda in may 1995 (where she had a very successful bilateral from the good doctor I) we were disappointed not to meet Don because we had heard so many good things about his work with patients. We were fortunate to meet Tony Schoonenberg however. I agree with your sentiments, also, about the danger of this kind of solicitation -- no matter how worthy the intent. TTFN & Cheers, Peter ************************************************************************** Peter Kidd Learning Materials Consulting Services 62 Coronation Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3N 2M6 Canada Tel/FAX: (902) 443-4262 Email: [log in to unmask] URL: http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~aa163/peterkidd.html