Oh POOH. George.... IVAN may be an icon, but I'm not... Just
call ME "Your Royal Highness." (grin)
Tell ya what, m'dear.... I did the "Extra" shoot not so much because
I thought it would whip up the general-well-TV-viewing-populous as I
felt that maybe, just MAYBE some Parkie or caregiver, somewhere
in North America ('cause the program IS seen on the entire continent)
would see the program and find out they're not only not ALONE with
the disease, but there's even effective surgical treatment out there
available for them - IF they only knew about it.
Sure I'd be happy if after seeing an "Extra" segment a buncha
non-PD folks rushed to their checkbooks and wrote out large
checks to donate to PD research, and SURE I'd be relieved if
every "Extra" viewer would ever-after no longer stare and wonder
at a dyskenesic Parkie as their body flails around. But I doubt
that'll happen.
Like you, I'm a skeptic... so I'll settle for letting that lonely person
with Parkinson's somewhere know that there are others just like
'em and if THEY can get relief from the terrible PD symptoms so
can that person.
Oh.... and tomorrow morning - at the god-awful early hour of
8:30 a.m. Dr. Iacono and I are being phone-interviewed by
KFWB Radio (local station, I believe). And if few people get all
inspired by the "Extra" segment, I betcha even LESS'LL be
inspired by the radio broadcast.
But heck... I've been INVITED (haven't gone SEEKING these
opportunities) to speak or appear and say something about
Parkinson's. I'm happy to take the chance that that someone
might be there listening to their radio (no doubt after watching
"Extra" on TV) <smile>. I just wish these "gigs" weren't
at sunrise!!!
Barb Mallut
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----------
From: Parkinson's Information Exchange on behalf of George Lussier
Sent: Friday, March 20, 1998 9:28 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN
Subject: Ivan, I must admit I enjoyed your recent silence but
now that you are back with your emotions unwrapped could you please give me
some documentation about just how "many young PWP's commit SUICIDE?". I've
no doubt that some do but I very much doubt that the count is up there
with, say, in-the-closet-struggling-to come-out gay adolescent. I would
find it outrageous if you just shooting from the hip with such a statement.
As a matter of fact I would suggest that the rate of suicide is
much lower for people with chronic illnesses then it is for the population
at large.
Perhaps between considering what you will wear for your next tv appearence
and giving us a final count on your tape sales you can give my question
some thought.
And while offending one of this list icons I may as well offend
another, Barbara M. <GRIN> of the "2 Parkies & Dr. Iacono on TV" show<two
grins and a giggle> Barb <swollow> do ya think ya can can this bid for
Hollywood fame<another nervous swollow> and get back to work. "EXTRA"
isn't worth your time. It will not do a positive thing for you or PD. <shut
up george, you gone too far, no one will ever write to you again>< grimace>
Another thing, if those of you who persist in posting your every
tiny thought on RE:2 Parkies & Dr. Iacono on TV" or its updated version" TV
Debut Delayed a Bit" would work as hard at convincing your Washington
people to do their job then just may be we will get the $$$ into our blood
stream.
Respectfully submitted <smile>
george Lussier
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