AN EXPRESSION OF GENUINE THANKFULNESS

We should observe the intended purpose of the rapidly approaching holiday of Thanksgiving by being (ta-dah!) . . . thankful! As an American citizen, I have my freedom for which to be thankful, family, friends, health (sometimes!), and freedom to be me. I can worship how I please (and worship that harms others in the name of religion is not worship to me)! And I have freedom of speech, which is under the First Amendment. Allow me to exercise the latter freedom as pertains to two of my favorite people - Carl & Carol McLeod.

I first met Carol (pwnkle) at the PAN/Michael J. Fox Advocacy session in June, 2000. A group of PLWPer's attended, having only met each other online. Carol and I wound up sitting together at this humongous round table for 10 for a luncheon with various special speakers. We found that the hotel staff had not anticipated the over 200 in attendance. The waiter hastily put dressing on some of our group's salads, but got called away. Carol and I appreciate good food, so to go without dressing was not an option, but the dressing was far from our reach! The noise from the too-crowded room with overworked, anxious servers was deafening; thus, our "pass the dressing" cries went unnoticed. Imagine this semi-formal environment and classy couple's puzzled looks when "pegleg" retrieved the dressing to her side of the table with the hook of her walking cane! Carol chuckled and responded, "I knew I liked you!" We were instant friends for life.

Carl, pwnkle's husband, was a gem of a host as a group from PLWP later were invited to their home in northern Kentucky. Unlike many spouses, he was socializing and entering our deep conversations as one genuinely concerned. Carl, knowing our weaknesses, had even set up three computer stations for his new guests! Just to show you his concern and involvement, Carl and a few other friends, helped me establish a benevolence type of program to assist needy and PD disabled folk repair or upgrade their home computer systems.

You cannot fathom the time and donated dollars that Carl and Carol have contributed to the success of both PLWP and needs folks with Parkinson's. Their home is nicknamed "Parkie Hotel" as they are always welcoming travelers into their dwelling and into their hearts. Carl even serenaded me once playing "Green sleeves!"

Carol, as you know, was recipient of this year's Domino Award, a recognition award for those individuals who contribute much to the PLWP organization. There is no way to describe to you the numeric value of "much" in this year's award. Carol, who has Parkinson's herself, is one of the most deserving individuals I know. And she is self-taught! She has learned to create masterful web sites, learned to use her digital camera and develop video media that would leave the mouth of a professional gaping. I might add that all of her countless hours, including those of Carl's, are true contributions - with no expectation for compensation. They believe in what they are doing.

Carol has become one of my dear friends. Only she and I can appreciate our warped senses of humor. Only she and I can sing off-key songs one after the other from the sixties. Only she and I can play our harmonicas and actually recognize what tune we're attempting. Only Carol and I were destined to meet.

Thank you, Carl and Carol, from the very bottom of my heart! I'm sure that I speak for many who live with Parkinson's day
by day. Thank you for making our lives a little more tolerable.

Peggy Willocks