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I don't see how WE can use Janet Reno's PD symptoms to promote better understanding of the disease when other than publicly announcing a coupla-three years ago that she had Parkinson's. In the interim, she's made no further public comments about the her personal experiences living with PD. In fact, Ms. Reno has privately expressed to a few persons, who in turn leaked it on to the press that SHE believe's living with her PD is "no big deal" and will be cured within a couple of years (dream on, Janet...). I believe it's wonderful when a person of international "star quality," such as Muhammad Ali, speaks out regularly, letting the entire world know they've got Parkinson's and then follows up by staying high profile AS a Parkinson's victim, lending their name in support of Parkinson's causes. I cannot speak highly enough of my regard for M. Ali AND his wonderfully supportive and active wife and partner, Lonnie Ali, NOT for his past in the boxing industry (ok... so I'm not a fan of that sport), but for his PRESENT, as he seemingly tirelessly travels 'round the nation as a Parkinson's advocate. Until Janet Reno is willing to speak out as a person-with- Parkinson's AS a PD advocate, and/or permits her name to be associated with Parkinson's advocacy, then I strongly believe it's not up to US to use her as an example of how the average personal-with-Parkinson's lives and copes with this rotten, steeeeenkin' disease. My bet is that IF Ms. Reno is STILL dealing with her PD in, say, 10 years, she's be more willing to speak out publicly on behalf of Parkinson's Disease. Unfortunately, then most folks will shrug, go "ho hum," and wonder who Janet Reno is... Barb Mallut [log in to unmask] ---------- From: Parkinson's Information Exchange on behalf of Andrew John Conovaloff Sent: Thursday, August 20, 1998 8:53 PM To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN Subject: Janet Reno's "hand clenching" on news On the CBS Evening News yesterday there was a comment that Janet Reno was "clenching her fists", implying that she was nervous over threats to remove her from office. Then some video of her sittng at a meeting table was shown. I focused on her hands. It was my impression that she displays typical PD hand tremor and holds her hands to make the tremor less obvious, as many parkies do. In the video, which lasted about 2 seconds, it seemed to me that her index finger was shaking while she had her fingers inter-laced on the table. It seems that those who oppose her will interpret PD symtoms as something negative to "spin" their story. This is bad spin for PD. If my observation is correct (she has hand tremor), can we, and should we, use this to promote understanding about PD? Wadduhyathinkgang? ** A.J. Conovaloff ->> "The Molokan Cyber-Cowboy" <<- ** preferred e-mail: [log in to unmask] ** text-only e-mail: [log in to unmask] ** Molokan Home Page: http://staff.gc.maricopa.edu/~jstory/molokan