 |
 |
First: if someone who works with advocacy groups in Washington DC doesn't know who Tutu is, I would have a problem following very many of her ideas. This is much like not knowing what countries border the US, something that a large number of high school students can't answer. But that speaks of literacy and our problem is recognition. I very much doubt that "press releases" work as an informative vehicle for PD or any of the 10 zillion medical problems. From cancer to baldness, everyone points to underfunding as the source for the lack of a cure. As much as I believe in it, the screaming and yelling protest won't be part of our funding problem. From Aids to Agent Orange, it drew attention but PD folks just aren't going to scream in protest. It's hard enough just to get out of bed, much less get 10,000 of us to DC to form a chain around the White House. Even if we did, we would probably pick the same day that troops are sent into Kosovo, so we still wouldn't get noticed. However, there is hope in Mudville. If the media won't do it, then we need to do it ourselves. The Parkinson Alliance group has an excellent plan of attack. IF (big "IF") most of the PWP's would become actively involved in that one program, we MIGHT have a chance in seeing a cure. Something I learned a long time ago - take what you have and work with it. The "Pennies for Parkinson's" is a wonderful idea put into reality. Seed money for advanced research is the best hope we have right now. Every month or so, there is an article posted here about some new discovery that points to a PD cure. Those research scientist need money to pay bills just like the rest of us and if they can't get it, the research doesn't get done. The whole seed money plan is a working project. Everyone who wants a cure for our common cause needs to back it with everything they have by talking with restaurants, retail stores, etc., getting the collection jars out, then returning, collecting, resupplying pamplets, getting the jars in front of the others.... There are a million causes who want attention (mine is saving the horses from the slaughterhouse). Noise does make the news, but the reality is that PWPs just aren't going to make the noise. We have the activist who are already at work - we just need to join them. Jerry Finch -- Help us save the horses! Habitat for Horses, Inc. A lifetime home for abused, endangered horses. http://www.habitatforhorses.org/