Going Back in Time
Happy Friday!! Just some unconnected thoughts for the weekend.
1. The gentleman you see above is Michael J. Fox. If you really don't know who he is, go rent "Back To The Future" or watch "Family Ties" on Me TV.
He really is the face of Parkinson's Disease in the US. His foundation raises a ton of money for research and awareness.
About 10 years ago MJF left his tv show, "Spin City", because of Parkinson's. He's had recurring roles on " The Good Wife", "Scrubs" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm". Mike is going back to work full-time this fall. He has a new sitcom, Thursdays, on NBC . I guess that's a good thing and it shows that people with PD, even in advanced stages can still be active.
Here's the downside....it's more than pretty difficult to get disability insurance in this country. Almost everyone gets turned down the first time they apply. I know of someone with cancer...denied!! Another with ALS, which is terminal,...DENIED!!! It's easier to get a shot past Corey Crawford than to get accepted for Disability insurance. Then when you are denied, there are appeals and you have to get doctors and lawyers involved and who wants that!! It turns into a real mess.
Now we have a new obstacle. Mr. Fox's case of PD is way more advanced than mine. But if he can't work full time, why can't the rest of us? I can see it now....a denial letter in the mail . Reason for denial is just a picture of Michael J. Fox!!
2. I've been thinking about Parkinson's and public transportation. Most of you who really know me knew it was going to come down to that sooner or later...it's just sooner!! How do I rate when it comes to Handicapped Seating? There's a pecking order for those seats. i know wheelchairs get top billing. Senior citizens with canes are next. A mom with a baby in a stroller follows however if she has groceries in the stroller instead of a baby, there's a special place in Hell for her!! But after that, I'm next!! So how do I let someone know I'm taking their seat? I don't look handicapped ( I don't even think of it as a handicap...don't tell the disability people). I also don't look like I'm a senior citizen. Put those two together and I'm not getting the seat up front!! It's a conundrum!!!
3. Final disconnected thought for the day.... There are times when having a mild case of Parkinson's pays off. Over the holidays, I was at an event and was chatting with a friend. She was complaining about her cold that wouldn't go away, how her back was giving her constant discomfort, and a few other common ailments.
After a couple of minutes of this, I said " I have Parkinson's". It shut her right up!! My advice is to play this card sparingly!!
Enjoy the weekend and if you decide to rent a Family Ties dvd, try season 3, 4 or 5. Justin Bateman (Mallory) is a little older and is pretty hot!! :-)