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Set-off, center and top with a picture of MJF headlined "Parkinson's Disease" on today's Forum page is MY letter (with only an extraneous "the" or "an" taken out.) As it appeared in the paper with my thanks to anyone I may have cribbed from. :-) <<< "A not-so-uncommon case of Parkinson's Disease" (11/30) is an apt description of Michael J. Fox's disclosure that he has had the disease since 1991. As someone who was diagnosed with PD at age of 44 in 1984 and who is active in online and local support groups, I know many people with Parkinson's who are in their 30s and 40s and early 50s One estimate is the average age of symptom onset is 57, with a third of all victims' symptoms starting in their 20's, 30's and 40's. As a result, Parkinson's-caused early retirements and forced disability are the norm. Some lose their jobs simply due to the stigma. Perhaps with the new awareness engendered by Fox, much needed in-depth media coverage will join in the public policy discussion on issues related to Parkinson's Disease. Barbara Blake-Krebs E-mail: [log in to unmask] sent 12/3/98 11:20 a.m.