In the past week I have realized what it means to say I am a Proud American.  I traveled to Washington, D.C. for the fifteen annual Parkinson's Action Network (PAN) Forum March 15-19, 2009. I have always been very aware of how special the U.S.A. is but nothing like what washed over me when I stood in front of Congress. How anyone could build such buildings that far back in time without modern equipment amazes me. Not only was I humbled by the size but by the all out acceptance we received on the Hill.  Each representative we visited met us with open arms and seemed very knowledgable of our plight and our course of action.  I so want to thank  Representative Shimkus, Harre and Pickett and Congressmen Durbin and Burris for their time and honest caring and attention to the bills that are in the near future that will spead our jouney to a cure for not only Parkinson's but MS. MDA, and more.  This is such a special time in the history of not only the world but for Neurological Disorders.  When you visit Washington you could feel the excitement that was present because of the stem cell bill and the new joining of the Parkinson's ans MS community and the New Registry for Disease Control that will so help in giving these diseases a date base to cross reference.  You will be hearing form me for some time about this trip because it was just that awesome.  I made friends for life in such a short time and renewed friendships I have made in the past year.  A more loving Community you will never find than the Parkinson's Community.....what a way to celebrate your 62 birthday, surrounded by a couple hundred of your best friends in such a beautiful city......love pokie