She can exercise her right to vote for a like-minded individual to represent her. In turn, the senator or representative she votes for, if elected, could block treatment that could possibly help her. Her one vote could also play a part in blocking said treatment for you or someone you know who has Parkinson's. Don't sell yourself short! History has shown one vote can make a difference.
I cannot stress enough that only excess eggs that are routinely produced by in vitro fertilization and routinely discarded as medical waste would be used for research. They are never destined to be implanted in the womb. They are literally poured down the drain.
I mention all of the above to make a very important point and to get to the heart of the matter.
In the letter to the editor the woman wrote for her local newspaper she stated that she felt the baby's life that would be taken (not so) to cure her could possibly be the next Albert Einstein. She goes on to say in her letter it is for that reason she will gladly step out of the way. She is selling herself short.
With all due respect to Albert Einstein and his many accomplishments, we in the Parkinson's disease community have value too. We might not reach the intellectual heights he did, however; we are cherished and held in high esteem by many people.
We have some fantastic accomplishments—writing books, speaking before the public, and advocating in Washington, D.C. and in our hometowns for medical research. More importantly, we have family and friends that love us immensely.
Grassroots movements do work. We have proven that, and have been instrumental in the passage of legislation in Washington, D.C. and our hometowns. We have proven that one person can make a difference and also that there is strength in numbers. Patient driven advocacy does work.
The activities I mention above encompass the good we do in our public lives. Just think about what we accomplish in our private lives despite Parkinson's disease. Imagine what we will accomplish post-Parkinson's.
Granted our accomplishments are not on the level of Albert Einstein. However, comparing ourselves to him or comparing our accomplishments to his is like comparing apples to oranges.
So I would implore the woman who wrote the letter to the editor— Don't sell yourself short!. Okay, you are no Einstein but I am willing to bet your young daughter, family, and friends value you and your accomplishments. It is my sincere wish that you will do so as well.
