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Barb, Right back at ya <big smile>, Greg Leeman -----Original Message----- From: Barbara Mallut <[log in to unmask]> To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN <[log in to unmask]> Date: Monday, March 23, 1998 2:34 AM Subject: Re: OF ALL THE PEOPLE I'VE HEARD FROM... >Greg, Juuuuuust in case I haven't told ya that I appreciate, respect, and like >ya, lately (or ever?), well, I sure do. AND upon occasion ya even make me >laugh... <smile> > >Thanks for being YOU, Greg... > >Sending love your way.... > >Barb Mallut >[log in to unmask] > >---------- >From: Parkinson's Information Exchange on behalf of Gregory E. Leeman >Sent: Sunday, March 22, 1998 6:40 PM >To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN >Subject: Re: OF ALL THE PEOPLE I"VE HEARD FROM... > >Dear George, > >Maybe vindictive was not proper usage. I have a tendency toward hyperbole >when defending a friend. I agree that Ivan doesn't need my help and that he >is an adult. However, I have seen what Ivan faces every day. Parkinson's is >certainly not a gift in the sense that it's symptoms and side effects are >not very pleasant. It can be frustrating. And I admit before I met him and >saw the courage he displays, I found the tone of his posts at times >abrasive. But, after meeting him and getting to know his relentless use of >all his energy towards finding help for himself and others, I find myself >not as objectionable to his approach. Let's face it, it is in fact an >insidious and continuous struggle that we face in battling PD. > >Yes, I have seen benefits through the struggles. I am a far more patient >person today. I have always been laid back, however, I am much more in tuned >with others. For instance, I met a young man through a friend's daughter. >His name is Jesse. He is a wonderful but troubled youth. All of his trouble >stems from a severe case of adolescent stuttering. At times he suffers >speech blocks as long as 5 minutes. People always try to help by answering >for him or by finishing sentences. People are usually in too much of a hurry >to actually converse with him. I have found out that he is a very bright >young man with a lot of personality. The fact that he has trouble >communicating is difficult to say the least. > >His trouble comes from a need to be heard. At times that need is >accomplished by seeking attention through actions that are not acceptable to >society. He and a friend took his friend's parent's car without permission. >He happened to be at my friend's house when the police came to question him. >He and my friend had fallen asleep in the family room while watching a late >movie. At 2am the bang at the door was from the authorities to ask Jesse to >go with them for questioning. Before my friend Mark could think of the >consequences of Jesse in a contentious situation with his exacerbated >stuttering it was too late. I know it is wrong for Jesse to use another >person's property without permission. My compassionate side says that it is >a prison that he lives in already. Without communication we would find it >much more difficult to be heard. > >Ivan does not suffer from any lack of communication skills. He does fight >his battle alone most of the time. He is selfish in that regard. Who would >blame him. In my opinion, Ivan gets frustrated from time to time and maybe >vents a little through one of the few ears he has the attention of. I know I >said their should not be contention or vindictiveness on the list. My plea >is to just have people try not to react to a general statement that may not >be true. It may be injurious to some, but it is a very important for us all >not to overreact. George, I know you have been a thoughtful contributor to >the list. I bet we all have people we like and those we don't on the list. >It is natural for us to like certain styles of writing and we think we have >a perfect picture in our mind of that person. If you knew Ivan personally >you still might not like his personality, but I bet your respect would grow >by the minute. He doesn't take too many days off against the battle to find >a cure. I hope you both can find a common thread to relate with. > >Take care and regards, >Greg Leeman 37/7 > >-----Original Message----- >From: George Lussier <[log in to unmask]> >To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN <[log in to unmask]> >Date: Sunday, March 22, 1998 12:57 PM >Subject: OF ALL THE PEOPLE I"VE HEARD FROM... > > >>Dear Gregory, >> Of all the people I heard from I have the most trouble understanding >>what it is you are saying. I've read and enjoyed some of your previous >>posting but now I'm not sure what it is you are saying. For example in your >>3/21 response to Camilla's posting you say, among your gentle sounding >>words, "However, the last emotion we need on the list is vindictiveness." >>Was that comment directed toward my note to Ivan? >> >>> If it is in fact taking up space >>>in an already stressful daily routine, I wonder if it wouldn't be so bad >as >>>to react with a little encouragement or not react at all. >> >>Are you suggesting that I should react with encouragement when Iven says >>something that I believe to be unwise or outrageous? Ivans a big boy. He >>can take the heat. >> >>>e been silent a great deal lately. My reasons are different from >>>Ivan's. But, for someone to say that they have enjoyed that someone with >>>Parkinson's is not participating is counter to the foundation of the idea >of >>>having a list. >> >>I confess, I enjoyed the silence and I doubt the reason for his silence had >>to due with his Parkinson. [OF course I don't really know] As to the tape >>updates I could not deleted them fast enough. Vindictive? I dont think so. >> >> >I don't know most of you personally, but I do share a common >>>tragedy .... >> Did you ever think of your PD as a gift? I know a few PWPs who are not >>troubled at all by their illness. One in particular,views himself as a big >>fish in a small pond from where he can influence PD policy and events. He >>feels that he would have little influence as a more normal person. Is he >>sick? Not in the slightest >> >> >Self-esteem is a fragile but essential part of every human. >> Some how I can't view me or what I have to say as damaging Ivan's >>self- esteem. >> >>>please try to have a little empathy when you disagree. >> I do feel a little empathy for you. Really I do. So young to be >>beaten upon by this crappy illness >> >>MORE TO FOLLOW SOON >> My best >> george >> >> >>[log in to unmask] >> >