I am forwarding my response to a private message from a member who wrote
me about the discussion re the fans for folks in Texas. This member
seemed to feel we have been less than compassionate about their suffering
and that of our more elderly fellow pd's. What do you think? Have I
expressed your feelings or am I way off base? Barb
Hi, XXXX. My husband & I were sitting outside listening to the radio
this afternoon and we heard about 99 people in Texas dying from the
heat. I agree. It's terrible. When we had the big ice storm in eastern
Ontario & Quebec, the government sent the army in to rescue people and to
restore electrical power. At least there was something constructive to
do to remedy the situation but the heat is a silent, invisible enemy.
Other than neighbour looking after neighbour and getting help for those
who are in a fragile condition, there doesn't seem to be much anybody can
do.
I realize that some of the postings seem to be heartless and uncaring,
but I honestly believe that they are not meant that way. I think that
what they are trying to say is that the money seems to be available in a
crisis situation, but not for pd research. It's not the money being used
to help save lives; it's the EASE of giving that money when so many have
worked so hard to get the same amount of money for funding pd research
and still the money hasn't been allocated.
About your comment about the frail, elderly pwp's, we're all in this
together....the frail & elderly, the young & frail and the rest of us
somewhere in the middle. We are trying to continue to lead as normal a
life as possible. Our individual small battles may be different,
continuing to work or walking to the bathroom, but the WAR is against
Parkinson's. We each have our own priorities and ways and means of
fighting the enemy but the goal is the same:
FUND THE RESEARCH! FIND THE CURE!
Please don't give up on us yet. We really are all in the same boat and
we may sound as though we think our own trials and tribulations are the
only ones that matter, but we really aren't that callous. We don't want
others to suffer. We're just plain scared! Scared that the research
will remain unfunded. Scared that the cure/treatment will come to late
for us. Scared of the future.
At least here, on the parkinsn list, we are all linked...have all joined
hands around the entire planet Earth with the common goal of supporting
each other and receiving the support of others while we wait and work
towards improving our futures.
I hope you stay with us. We all need you as much as you need us.
Barb
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Barbara Patterson [log in to unmask]
HSC 2J22 905-525-9140, ext. 22403
School of Nursing
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