Here's to Finesticher......always

February 13, with a very sad heart I posted as best I could, the fact that I would not be going to the PAN Forum in Washington , D.C. next Saturday. The denial of my scholarship just totally knocked the props out from under me. I can honestly say now in hind site that it was a good thing. Nothing should ever be taken for rated in life. Though I had planned for many months on going, the appreciation of the event was not truly felt until I was faced with not going. I tried to be matter of fact about the whole situation but finally just broke down. Had it not been for one very special person, whom I love with all my heart, I would be sitting at home this Saturday night asking, "Why Me, on a year when the whole Parkinson's community will come together for a stem cell victory". That one and only person travels this circuit and takes so little credit for what she does and gets done. I believe nine years she has fought and fought hard for Parkinson's awareness. Not always in the best of mental or physical health and despite all odds she continued to bring the health news of the day to everyone on Patientslikeme.com. She never received pay and very few thanks. She's a webmaster and one of the most intelligent women I have ever known. Her current project is PWP NEWS and it is the best I have seen. Everything that is going on in the Parkinson community, worldwide is listed in this newsletter daily. she not only works with Pan but PDF and yes that is her on the cover of their DVD. I met her in October of 2006 when I signed on to PLM. I knew nothing about the computer world and to me she walked on water. Then in October of the next year I won a Scholarship to Atlanta, YOPN Convention. and Carolyn was going to be there as a presenter. She walked up behind me and slipped the DVD in my pocket stating I will need this later....I just could not speak.....I admired her so and here she was in the flesh. I went up stairs a little later and was proudly laying all my treasures out on the bed , when I noticed that the lady on the DVD was Carolyn. I about had a heart attack. I grabbed it and went back down stairs and said,"Sign this". She looked at me so surprised....not knowing that very seldom in your lifetime do you meet one of your mentors. Yes, I am talking about Carolyn Stephenson or Finesticher as we call her on PLM. When Carolyn found out I was not going she kicked into high gear and called everywhere getting me in. By Tuesday morning arrangements were being made for me to go. Me going to Washington, D.C. a week after President Obama signs the Stem Cell Research Bill back into funding...meaning a life line has been sent to so many with Neurological Disorders living with no hope for a cure. To Carolyn I can only say she has played a huge part in this day, though she would never admit it. She never stands up and shouts but she is none the less so effective in her own ways. I'll be sixty three Saturday and when I grow up I hope to be like Carolyn even though I believe she is younger than me. I'm sorry dear, but I cannot help but follow you around in wide eye amazement and awe..... now before you find some way to delete this, want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for ever and you and Pegs first meal in Washington is on me...love Pokie