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Every day we face a new "now," not once daily but often several times each day because of our intimate relationship with Parkinson's Disease. My position has been as a person with Parkinson's rather than that of an observer-helper to someone with the disease. Parkinson's and I have had this intimate relationship for almost 23 years. In fact, I've never had an such a close and consistent intimate relationship anyone or any entity in my entire life. My relationship with PD has been evolving in heretofore unexpected ways lately. Because of recently becoming the team leader of a PD support group sponsored by a local hospital, I'm seeing this disease and those whose lives it touches as an "educated observer" now as well as viewing it as a patient. I'm surprised to have observed a broad based number of individuals who've never heard of the Udall Bill - literally have no clue about the bill that could so positively and dramatically effect their lives. I'm surprised that most haven't been evaluated by a movement disorder specialist and most didn't even know there was such a specialty available. Most haven't any idea what a pallidotomy is, and many believe that fetal transplant has been forbidden by the government. Many haven't had a hug in years... Virtually all are so tuned into taking and getting from the community and from their loved ones, that they no longer even THINK to give anything BACK to the community... Most never question the choice of or the dose of the drugs that are prescribed for them. There's more... much more... however, it's not my intention to point out lots of those individual issues, but rather to call attention to the fact that there are SOOO many disenfranchised individuals with Parkinson's Disease out there in the big world who are STILL living quiet, invisible lives, while not receiving even close to optimal medical treatment. I'm at a loss on how to reach these individual and let them know there's a support group available for them. The hospital maintains no past records of patients having PD, so I'm starting from scratch in building a membership and a mailing list. I've made flyers and put them in two local libraries, regularly announce about the new PD group at my original support group meetings (meetings which I wouldn't miss for all the tea in China). Ads have been placed in local newspapers. I feel, however, that I'm probably overlooking other ways to let these individuals know we're here for 'em and call upon YOU to share your suggestions and ideas with me as to how to spread the word. Thanks People! Barb Mallut [log in to unmask] .