PAN Forum 2002 - Peg's View

Dreaming? My recent attendance at the Parkinson's Action Network (PAN) Forum 2002 seems like a dream. Our group arrived via bus early at Hart Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C.. By 8:30 a.m., the Senate Hearings room in was nearly 80% filled with attendees from the .
We were told that this hearing would draw a large audience since Michael J. Fox and Mohammad Ali would be testifying.

Just the day prior, PAN had a delicious lunch set up in this same room to brief attendees on the latest neurological scientific research briefing.  We knew that tomorrow in this room would be the testifying of three important people: Muhammed Ali, Michael J. Fox, and someone with
Parkinson's from Iowa. I was discussing the non-celebrity person, wondering who it might be, when the gentleman sitting to my right said, "That would be me!" Don Schneider and his wife were such an interesting couple, obviously united in their campaign against PD. Paula Wittekind
and I gave him a "PD - Everyone Pay$" button which he immediately pinned on his lapel. Imagine our surprise, but source of unity, as localmedia and C-SPAN picked up on the buttons. The cameras zoomed in on Don's "I Used to Be a Radio Broadcaster" button as he gave his
testimony.

And true to their predictions, the room for the Senate Hearings was packed! Standing room only! And the standing room was filled with aides and interns anxious to see these celebrities with this devastating disease. As the proceedings continued under Senator Tom Harkin'schairmanship, I felt a sense of pride that I was not only a part of this historic moment, but that I was physically to be here as a result of involvement in a recent clinical trial myself. The proceedings were positively received. We learned that the money for research was there; it was an appropriations issue. Now when I watch C-SPAN, I can be there vicariously and understand what all goes on "behind the scenes."

The training sessions offered by PAN, the networking of contacts, the Congressional visits, facilities, and the camaraderie made this a dream come true for me. But most importantly, there was a dream answered for all of us. It was when Senator Harkin asked Dr. Ole Isacson from
Harvard Medical School if he thought it was possible to find a "cure" for Parkinson's disease, which would lead to dreams answered suffering  with neurological illnesses. Dr. Isacson answered with a word synonymous with "hope" . . . he answered, "Yes." That's all that's needed to hold onto my dream! One day I can look back and proudly say, "I was a part of that dream!"

By Peggy Willocks