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Dear List Members: There have been quite a few postings from young onset PWP's lately and it is evident that there is a lack of young onset support groups. I do have several (but not nearly enough) listings of young onset groups. If anyone wants to determine if there is a group in their area, please contact me ([log in to unmask]) or by phone (800)327-4545. If no young onset group exists in your area, I encourage you to start one. There may be several young people in your area that are also seeking a group. We (NPF) have a 'Support Group Leaders Manual" that is quite thorough and tells you how to go about starting a group as well as ideas for maintaining the group. It gives ideas on discussion topics and makes suggestions for guest speakers. While in some ways I agree that most everyone can benefit and learn from a "general" Parkinson's support group, I feel that in many instances, it can be too overwhelming for a young onset person to join such a group. Often, it is impossible for the newly diagnosed to differentiate what what they may see in the older indvidual. They cannot tell what symptoms are caused by Parkinson's, what is caused by the normal "aging process" and what may be caused by other ailments a person may have. Also, a young onset person has different "issues" to deal with than their older counterpart. These issues can include, among others, employment issues, child rearing issues (including when and what to tell young children) and pregnancy and PD. Sincerely, Bonnie Cunningham Patient Services Director NPF