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^^^^^^WARM GREETINGS FROM^^^^^^^^^^ Ivan Suzman 48/10 [log in to unmask] Portland, Maine land of lighthouses 27 deg. F *********************************************************** On Sat, 21 Mar 1998 00:28:32 -0500 George Lussier <[log in to unmask]> writes: >now that you are back with your emotions unwrapped could you please >give me >some documentation.... Dear George, My heart goes out to you. When a friend of mine was recently diagnosed with PD in his early 50's, his younger brother in his 40's, who had been having a frightening time with Parkinson's and other challenges, for several years, suddenly committed suicide. This happened in New Hampshire about two years ago. I used to spend time visiting a neighbor, Agnes. She used to invite me over to sit in her big country kitchen, and keep her company, while she cooked pot roast, or roasted chicken, or made pie after pie for her sons and daughters-in-law. Agnes's daughter was in a car in her driveway one day, and saw me moving slowly and shaking, as I walked along the road, so I explained I had Young Parkinson's. She told me of a cousin who had just killed himself who had Young Parkinson's. She told me of another suicide of another young Parkinson's sufferer she also knew. I feel that these true stories are the tip of the iceberg. Suicide is a state I pray you and all of us on the List can stay away from. I try not to let bad news depress me, but I am really worried about my future at times. My efforts to get the Udall BIll passed, so that we will all have a better future, and to live simply, with as much grace and dignity, as well as helping others suffering from our common plight, are what keeps me going. I am not going to let "mr. pd" rule me. I am very fortunate to be strong-willed, and try to share my gifts. I pray that you will feel much better when you write us again, because I feel very sad that you were so angry at me, or perhaps at my being so much in the limelight, when you wrote your post This post was not the usual George Lussier I have always enjoyed. Funnily enough, I , too, enjoyed my OWN recent silence on the List!!! I felt that after all the TV-stardom I had the honor to enjoy, i should be quieter now, and give others a chance to shine. I am not aware if you were upset because of the potential for my work and contribution to overshadow the contributions of others on the LIst, including your own. George, your attitude in the past, and your work to develop a video and educational materials is very important work. I laughed and laughed just thinking about the walking backwards posts last year, and your delightful and buoyant sense of humor is a marvel to me, in reference to your infamous Parkie-Hole-in-the-head-gang. Barb's potential TV stardom is meaningful to me in many ways. Why not support her efforts? I am sure that the Udall Bill is just one of many possible topics she would try to squeeze into an interview, even if the editors or moderators might not be prepared for her to talk about it. I give Barb a HUGE amount of credit, and most of all, for keeping many of us laughing-out-loud when we; coulld have felt SO blue instead. The real concern I have is that you remain with us. Don't withdraw or isolate. The wonderdul people on this list will help anyone through times of depression or anger. God bless you and your family during this time. May the springtime lift your spirits. Ivan Suzman