I did a little reading since my last post. You are correct in stating that
a dopamine deficiency is apparently responsible for Parkinson's. And yes,
in the late stages of the disease, about 1 in 3 have some level of mental
degredation.
However, there are several points I would like to bring up. First is that
most of the "mental disorders" associated with the early stages of
Parkinson's can be linked to a depression brought on by finding out you have
a frustrating and terminal disease. Would you rule out someone who was put
in a wheelchair by a car wreck? Or a recent cancer survivor? Both of these
could just as easily cause depression. Again, depression is routinely
treated and need not interfere with anyone's life. And, of course, it does
not affect everyone.
Second, grouping all mental illnesses and chemical imbalances together is
akin to saying that a wrenched knee and an accidental amputation at the hip
both make a person disabled because they both stem from a physical trauma.
By lumping all chemical imbalances of the nervous system together, you are
equating someone like me and your average theme park thrill-seeker with
violent psychopaths and people who face-jump off tall buildings. Not quite
the same thing, IMHO.
I'm sorry if I'm seeming a little vehement about this, but this is something
that affects my life. The more people who understand that mental illnesses
are not always the tragic, debilitating things they once were the better.
It's very frustrating to have people assume that I'm unreliable or even
useless because I have to take a pill a day to control my depression.
Anyway, I just want people (especially me) to be judged by what abilities
they /do/ have, not what's "wrong" with them.
--Ben Doom
Programmer & General Lackey
Moonbow Software
: -----Original Message-----
: From: jon hall [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
: Sent: Monday, September 09, 2002 2:26 PM
: To: CF-Community
: Subject: Re: Janet Reno in Florida
:
:
: Chemical imbalances are the root of most mental disorders...I believe
: that Parkinson's is the inability of the brain to manufacture
: sufficient levels of dopamine (I might be wrong there, but I'm close
: if not). It requires continual medication, and brain function will be
: hampered.
: A physical disability I would have no problem with, but a mental
: disability is not exactly something I look for in a politician.
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