Sioux City Journal

Stop 'heartless assault' on sufferers of Parkinson's

Posted: Sunday, November 19, 2006

SIOUX CITY -- Just when I thought I was calm enough to respond to Rush Limbaugh's attack on Michael J. Fox, your very own Michael McNeil adds a slur of his own (in his Nov. 13 column). I don't really care if a person uses the identifier conservative or liberal, I just find it hard to understand how making fun of, or questioning the morals of, sick people became fair game in this year's political arena. My guess is that neither Mr. Limbaugh nor Mr. McNeil has any personal experience with Parkinson's Disease or they wouldn't find it quite so easy to throw stones and to be so cold-blooded about it in the process.

Two members of my family suffer with Parkinson's Disease and I don't use the word "suffer" lightly. My brother-in-law is "lucky" enough to have a fairly slow-progressing form of the disease. Medications are able to control many of his symptoms but tasks that we may find simple can be challenging for him at times.

My father has a more aggressive form of the disease. None of the medications he has been prescribed have been able to completely control his tremors (what Mr. McNeil and Mr. Limbaugh refer to with disgust as stumbling, staggering and shaking erratically). One medication that did help to some degree also caused him to sleep about 16 hours a day which he didn't find acceptable. The next medication did a better job of controlling the tremors but the side effect to this one was hallucinations, also not acceptable. The process of finding the right medication in the correct dosage is ongoing and in the meantime, he keeps his sense of humor, reads the newspaper and watches TV. How sad that his forms of entertainment are riddled with people belittling others like him.

I wish for Mr. Limbaugh and Mr. McNeil a life free of debilitating disease. I only wish we could be free of their heartless assault on those less fortunate. -- Jackie Christerson

Story Comments

Niki wrote on Nov 27, 2006 3:24 PM:

" Monday morning scientists never cease to humor me. "

Niki wrote on Nov 27, 2006 3:23 PM:

" First of all, Larry J didn't pose a "question." Secondly, I HAVE a life, so I'm so sorry if respond in someone's preconceived acceptable timeline. These embryos, which otherwise would be tossed aside after the allotted time in the IVF clinic & disposed of ANYWAYS ... I do not know if they have a full DNA string. I'm assuming yes. If allowed, they'd probably grow into humans. However, these embryos are tossed away at IVF clinics. & I none of us can state whether or nor they would lead "full and productive lives." Furthermore, please let me know, geneticists all, if it's possible to have "clones" "grow into adult human beings that would live full and productive lives" without implantation into a uterus? Enlighten me. & yes, I did read the initiative closely. Several times, in fact. Perhaps you should. Finally, again, I beseech all ... unless you KNOW Parkinson's, I find it incredibly insulting for one to assume to know ANYONE'S motivation regarding medication, tremors, etc. & with that, I'm off to live my full & productive life. "

Jeff wrote on Nov 26, 2006 2:57 PM:

" I guess Niki is afraid to answer Larry J's question. "

Dean wrote on Nov 26, 2006 2:56 PM:

" So tell me Trogdore, Who ran their election campain on Terri Schivo??? "

Trogdore wrote on Nov 25, 2006 10:06 AM:

" Using a debilitated person to further someone's career, that's truly pathetic! That's why I vote Republican because they would never do something like that, they're moral, stand-up people. Wait...wait....I'm seeing a face......a name is coming to mind.....I can't quite make it out......it's.....Terry.....Schiavo......oh. "