 |
 |
I sent the following letter to each of the senators on the appropriations subcommittee using the email site listed, which made it very easy. Do you know of a similar one for the House? My name is Nina Brown . When I was 44 years old I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder that destroys the brain cells controlling motor function. Available treatment only partially alleviates the resulting stiffness, tremor and slowness of movement. Eventually it leaves its victims unable to walk, to talk, even to move. I've worked on the Executive board of the Parkinson Foundation of Harris County for twelve years. Among other things, I write their monthly newsletter that is distributed to over 1700 families. I've chaired fund-raisers - the last being the “Knock-out Parkinson’s with Mohammed Ali” Gala that netted over $125,000. I want to be able to continue to contribute to my community, but I've seen my co-workers robbed of their ability to work to help find a cure because of the progression of their disease. Until recently, my medications (which cost me $400 a month) have allowed me to live an “almost” normal life. But now the disease has progressed to the point where the medications don't always work. Today I can feed and dress myself, but the time to find a cure is running out for me. A day doesn't pass that allows me to forget that I have Parkinson’s disease and that I don't know what tomorrow will bring. I spent a year recovering from a ten hour back fusion that became necessary due to my Parkinson’s gait, then fell because of the Parkinson’s and fractured a kneecap. My grandson just celebrated his 5th birthday…and I watched the party from the sidelines, because it was an “off” day. The medications didn’t work and I couldn’t move. There are times I can't hold my two year old granddaughter for fear I might fall with her or drop her. I want to be able to play with my grandchildren. I don't want them to remember that Grandma couldn't move, or talk or smile. Parkinson's also financially cripples our nation in addition to the human suffering it causes. It costs an estimated $25 billion in direct and indirect costs per year. In 1997, U.S. support for direct Parkinson's research was only estimated to be $34 million, or a mere $34 per year per patient, which is far less than most other diseases receive. Neuroscientists tell us that with enough funding, they have the manpower and knowledge to find a cure within five years. Congressman, YOU hold my life in your hands. YOU have the power to help find a cure for Parkinson’s by authorizing the funding for the Morris K. Udall Bill. PLEASE help me get my life back! Nina Brown (and all the family and friends who care about me) 9715 Burdine Houston, Texas 77096-4015 Phone: 713.729.1544 Fax: 713.610.8662