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Parkinson's Disease Afflicts Young People Too Aired December 28, 1998 - 1:42 p.m. ET THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED. LOU WATERS, CNN ANCHOR: Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder most common among the elderly. It is not, however, exclusively linked to the elderly. CNN medical correspondent Rhonda Rowland spoke with a 35-year-old woman who has battled the illness for years. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) RHONDA ROWLAND, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is how Michelle Block reacted to the news that actor Michael J. Fox has Parkinson's disease: MICHELLE BLOCK, PARKINSON PATIENT: I don't know how he hid it. I want to know his secret. ROWLAND: She was not surprised someone so young had Parkinson's; Michelle has it, too. The disease is characterized by tremor and erratic body movements. Most patients develop the disease in their 60s, but about 15 percent develop it at a much younger age. Like Fox, the first signs of Parkinson's appeared when Michelle was in her 20s. BLOCK: I was 26. We had just had a baby and I started having trouble writing the thank-you notes for the baby gifts. ROWLAND: Now she's 35, and in the late/mild phase of the disease. BRET BLOCK: There have been people who have thought she's drunk, or just didn't understand, or having withdrawal symptoms or something -- just the more understood it is the less stigma there will be. ROWLAND: Michelle controls her symptoms with medication. Michael J. Fox had brain surgery to control his tremor. It's not a cure and it carries a small risk of death or paralysis. M. BLOCK: He was very brave to do it because of that percentage of risk, and I'm not that brave. I'm not willing to take that risk. ROWLAND: So, she plans her day -- car pool, trips to the grocery store and gym -- around the movement fluctuations she gets from her medication. (on camera): Do you think it is a tragedy? M. BLOCK: No it's an inconvenience, most definitely. It's not fair, you could say, but this is something I can deal with; we can deal with; and they're going to find a cure for it. ROWLAND: Researchers say there are probably a half-dozen lines of research going on right now that could produce a significant breakthrough. Of all the neurological diseases, Parkinson's is probably the closest to a cure. (voice-over): Michael J. Fox has said he anticipates a cure by the time he reaches age 50. DR. RAY WATTS, EMORY UNIVERSITY: No I don't think Michael J. Fox is being unrealistic at all in striving for a cure by 50. My goal is to see a cure for Parkinson's before the next 13 years, that's for sure. Now who knows when we are going to get there, but if you don't aim high you may end up low. It is within reach. ROWLAND: In the meantime, the Block's do their best to carry on a normal family life. Rhonda Rowland, CNN, Atlanta. (END VIDEOTAPE)