I have been diagnosed with PD for 12 years. When I first discovered there was a web site on Parkinson's in existence, I approached it fearfully. I did not want to reveal much about myself, and I was still tottering on the fence about whether or not I REALLY had PD. Of course, I did, and it is only recently I have stopped expecting my doctor to tell me that they made a terrible mistake by diagnosing me with this condition. I have it, and as Laura says, it doesn't have me (I hope).

Finally with time passing I did post on the forum. It was a great release. I was not alone. I revealed, argued, read, congratulated, and criticized, and the world of the forum became my refuge. The people whose posts I read - like ol cs's - impressed me and held my slowly disintegrating world together, so much so that I think the posters became lilke rock stars to me. How silly, eh? But I admired them more than the typical hero models put up by our society. I have never understood why people revere someone like Oprah (whom I do like, by the way) and don't see the heroism in someone who works day in and day out at a boring, tedious job just to support his or her family. I think we are heroic also. Living with PD is one of the hardest things I have ever done. What doesn't hurt you physically, gets you mentally. How much courage it takes to deal with this disease!

So all of you are my rock stars.

Just felt like stating that.