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<html> I am not embarrassed to be on this list. I'm not sure I see the lack of compassion either. What I do see is a heathy cautiousness of the media, including the public relations department of ABC. Michael Fox's Spin City is product of that network. What I read is the desire of list members to have PD shown in a very real light. Most of the membership, I believe, see Muhammad Ali as more realistic in presentation, and I suspect is more like most members in experiencing the destructiveness of Parkinson's. As I read the postings, most folks are appreciative of his revelation, which Mr. Fox indicates is predicated by the fear that it would be revealed by others than himself, and that he is bring attention to the disease. I also perceive that most PWP do not complain of being in the early manageable stages of PD, however when the road gets rutted and very difficult to manage does the terrible reality of Parkinson's come to fore. I think, it is that REALITY that most list members want understood and addressed. They want that from their doctors, from their elected officials, from the insurance companies, from the social security administration, and from their communities to name a few. There are many variations of early themes of Parkinson but far less as the road continues to narrow. Len and Hilary, I have only been a member for 3 years, and folks have expressed some very strong opinions, including myself, but the absence of compassion has not been one that I have experienced, nor have I seen it. Now I may be upset when my friend George Lussier, the original PWP bareback horse rider, wants to ride rodeo bulls, and I may question the rational of such desire, I "think" I may even understand, and I have some very strong negative feelings about him doing this, and honestly I may not have much compassion, on this one, but I'm not sure I would tell him that it is one of the most idiotic activities he can do. <br> <br> I hope I have offered a different perspective on this issue, and yes, I have been thrown, bitten, kicked and knocked off a horse or two, and maybe I'm sitting differently, as may my perspective be.<br> <br> <br> <br> At 12:21 PM 12/5/98 -0800, you wrote: <br> <blockquote type=3Dcite cite>Dear List Friends<font size=3D2>,<br> =A0<br> </font><font size=3D3>We're appalled at the lack of compassion and quick, negative judgments shown by a number of members on this list.=A0 Who are we to sit in judgment of Michael J. Fox?=A0 We tell the world that each case of Parkinsons is unique.=A0=A0 We, more than other people, should understand this.=A0 Each of us faces this challenge in our own way, in our own time. Together we have the power to do much good, but not when we undermine one another.=A0 We support the thoughtful and informed sharing of opinions, but let's do so with our hearts open.=A0 If we thought that Michael J. Fox and his wife were reading this list, we'd be </font><font size=3D2>embarrassed </font><font size=3D3>to be on it.=A0 Does anyone else feel this way?<br> =A0<br> Len (62/4) and Hilary Zunin<br> </blockquote><br> </font> <BR> </html>