Karl,

I am 100% convinced that stress exasperates my condition horribly. I'm lucky in that I don't have to work. I quit my last job which I positively loved (working for a non-denominational Christian youth organization). It was a 20 hour a week job but, because I become so involved in it ... and love teenagers more than most will ever understand ... I took a lot of work home with me. Trying to juggle that, with my Parkinson's and with three kids in college, was simply more than I could handle.

So now I substitute teach at the high school. I can pick and choose which schools I'll teach, which subjects, which grades (in case you're not like me and like high school kids!) which days, and how often. They honestly don't care if I teach one day a year, or every day of the week. It's amazing how many retirees there are. I'm also paid at least decent wages ... $70.00 a day and that's in the midwest (Houston, TX) which is considerably cheaper to live than the east or west coasts.

So now ... lightening bolt! .... I think I'll post another thread so that others know it's a viable option.

But getting back on topic ...

I honestly can't adequately express what this site did for me ... especially when first diagnosed. It was my rock and was the only thing, really, which helped me keep my sanity. Now, four years later, I don't need it "quite" as much ... but when I do, you're here for me and have not once let me down. Like you, I can ask and seek questions and answers. Nothing is too small, too embarrassing, or too silly of a question to ask.

Terri