Just kmeb again - thats the key - seeing this as a debilitating illness in its own right.... I've lived in my apartment complex for 5 years (thats a REALLY long time for me - but its got wheelchair access and thats hard to find around here) - anyway - I have neighbors who have seen me for years "wheeling" around (I walk around inside my apartment as much as I can holding on to stuff - but too dangerous to do unescorted when I go out) - anyway - a neighbor who is a doctor has seen me coming and going with a driver who works for an elder care agency I use to get back and forth to doc appts and I chat with her often in the halls or elevator... she finally asked me the other day where my "attendant" was - and when I told her I lived alone - she told me she was really surprised because MS could be so tough to live with... she assumed thats what I had - and others in the building have too... when I told her I had PN she was shocked - told me she had no idea that it could be so disabling...... if docs dont even realize this - we've got lots of work to do! I used to get rather offended if someone asked me what was wrong - but now I'm more then happy to tell them - even if it just raises awareness in my tiny corner of the world...