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John, Thanks so much for your input. I agree. Tried to point to fact that younger folks get it at one point, but, you're right, John, expanding on the idea that children and young adults, too, get PD would help and if we end up making it into a brochure to give away, we will DEFINITELY want to add that. Bless your heart for your great feedback. We need that as we are still developing this thing. We are a band of two people but are hoping to get more from Michigan interested. This thing could easily be tailored to any state. What we are considering doing is to list the zip codes in the tri-county area here and to then list the Representative for each zip, so that if someone wants to write or can be persuaded to do so, we'll have that info for them. I actually live in Troy, which is a northern suburb of Detroit. Thought I'd include the newest rendition. Will definitely remember your comments for the brochure. What do these people have in common? Pope John Paul II Billy Graham Janet Reno Muhammad Ali Johnny Cash Morris K. Udall ANSWER: They are living with Parkinson's Disease. What is Parkinson's Disease? Parkinson's. . . q Is a progressive degenerative neurological disease. q Is caused by the death of dopamine producing cells in the brain. q Is characterized by tremor, stiffness and rigidity, slowness of movement, unwanted movement, and voice and fluency problems. q Can render victims in the end stages of the disease unable to move, talk, or swallow. q Has an average age of diagnosis of 57, though 1/3 are below this age. q Presently affects more than 1,000,000 people in the United States. q Is thought to be significantly under-diagnosed. q Can be expected to increase many-fold as the "Baby Boom" ages. q Cannot be predicted. q Exacts incalculable human suffering and a tremendous strain on federal entitlement programs. q Costs society $25,000,000,000 in indirect and direct costs (Duke University), yet is significantly under-funded when compared to the other neuro-degenerative diseases. q Has been called one of the brightest spots in brain research. q May hold the keys to other neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, ALS, and MS. The Problem In 1997, the Morris K. Udall Research and Education Act was enacted and authorized $100,000,000 a year for purposes of research and education. To date, the Act has not been funded. Support is needed to fully fund this important initiative now. While many with Parkinson's cannot, you can make your voice heard. Please sign this petition and write your United States Senators and Representative to ask for full funding for Parkinson's research and education NOW. Your actions will benefit not only those already diagnosed, but countless others in whom the insidious process of developing Parkinson's Disease has already begun. Whether we like it or not, we are all at least indirectly affected by Parkinson's fiscally. It is thought that all of those fortunate to live long enough will have some symptoms of it. We, as a society, must take a proactive rather than a reactive stance. Investing in Parkinson's NOW is an investment in the future. Thanks again, John, for your valuable input. Sincerely, Barb Brock 53 CG Art 56/1 year