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In a message dated 8/8/98 12:22:45 PM Central Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: << ; I thanked her & said how really helpful that would be since I had Parkinson's Disease. She gave me a weird look & then said knowingly, "Oh, so those are your GRANDchildren!" I almost laughed & I almost cried. "No," I said, "they really are my children. PD just caught up with me >> Joan, Your situation made me think. A few months ago, I was writing some Mo stuff. I began taking the rewritten sheets with me to church, to the Mall, to the medical lab, etc. When the circumstances came up, I would give them out to people. Whether or not it did any good is another matter. What do you think of this? In some contemplative moment, compose a letter to that woman, but make it nonspecific enough to fit any inquiry by anyone. Print and take along a couple of these on errands in public. When the opportunity arises, hand the individual a copy. On it, you could put a very short version of your story, perhaps some helpful information for other PWP, and something about the chance congress now has to fund a cure. (My personal sample follows below) When folks act non-plussed hand them a sheet and say, "Here, this is for you. This explains it better than we have time for now ". Quite a few people have relatives or know someone who is a PWP. Hello, This is my way to explain myself without taking up a lot of your time. Since you are reading this, you must have noticed I am a PWP (Person with Parkinson's Disease -- PD). Something made me think it was a good time to give you this: My story in brief: I began having symptoms at age 37. I was a Captain in the USAF, flying F-4s and F-16s. Diagnosed with PD in 1981, my flying stopped immediately, but I was allowed to continue my ground job. In 1984, I retired from the Air Force with an 80% disability. I have not worked at a paying job since late 1986. I can help: I can help you find information, especially if you know a family member or friend who might be a PWP. I belong to a PD support group, and I correspond regularly with a large Internet based group. I can provide some resources he/she might miss on their own. No one has to face PD alone. You can help too: There is also something you can do for the 1-2 million PWPs in the US. This year (right now) Congress has a serious opportunity to fund efforts to find the cure. We would appreciate you helping us get our lives back. At the same time, you might save a lot of taxpayer money. PD is dreadfully expensive. What to say: 1. You are interesting in saving big in the end. 2. Appropriate the full $100 million for the Udall PD law, and increase the NIH budget.. 3. Please hurry. Time is money. Time is life. Call 1 (202) 224-3121 to ask for your congresspersons by name. If you do not know who to ask for call 1 (800) ???-????[The AARP number] Very best regards, William H Heitman Day phone (618) 628-0123 Does anyone out there know the @$#%$#@@ APDA phone #? Regards, WHH