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On Monday I wandered the 13th International Congress on PD, just because I could. I was diagnosed with PD about a month ago and the shock is just wearing off, the learning curve is flattening. I happen to live in Vancouver and happen to work in the media so figured, why not. I e-mailed their PR people and was straight with them--I will write about Parkinsons, but not for a while. They happily gave me a pass. You've all read the news from the congress: 6.8 million$ to UBC, Hitler may have had It, Requip may be a great thing. I want to report this: PD is big business. This was an enormous conference. Whacks of money is involved in PD research. Those drug companies had amazing displays. I got the groovy briefcase, picked up lots of brochures from the various associations and wandered through the rows on rows on rows of poster sessions on research. Much of this was over my head, as were the sessions for scientists and neurologists. But I came away feeling hopeful. With this many smart people working on a cure, with the increasingly aging population and with this kind of awareness building, it will happen. Marg Meikle 43 years old with a 19 mo. old son