What an Ass!
Unless you've been living in a cave the past few months, you've undoubtedly seen some of the political ads floating around. They haven't been very nice, for the most part. Some of the criticisms of the ads have been even less kind. But no one has shown himself more of an asshole than Rush Limbaugh, for his criticism of Michael J. Fox's endorsement of a particular Senator in Missouri for her support of stem cell research. Specifically, Limbaugh had the nerve to insinuate that Fox was "exaggerating" his tremors just for effect.
According to Fox's website, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 1991, which means he's been living with the disease for around 15 years. Anyone who either lives with or knows someone who is living with Parkinson's Disease knows that, like other diseases such as cancer, Parkinson's has several "stages".
Stage 1: Mild tremors, loss of balance/posture, facial grimaces
Stage 2: Symptoms are bilateral, difficulties walking, maintaining balance, everyday tasks are
more difficult
Stage 3: Symptoms of stages 1 and 2 are more severe, with difficulties walking or even
standing, and noticably slower physical movements
Stage 4: Rigid movements, bradykinesia (extreme slowness of movement) , inability to live on
their own, sometimes tremors lessen during this stage
Stage 5: The disease takes over all physical movement, may not be able to walk or stand alone,
may be unable to take care of self
*description of stages from webmd.com
Depending on the stage, the day of the week, the amount of sleep a person has gotten, what time of day it is, if they are "in between" meds, if their current meds aren't working, their stress level, and how the stars are aligned in the night sky, a person's symptoms can worsen or get better from one day to the next. To have your mind intact and be able to watch your body deteriorate is a horrible thing to deal with, especially because your dependence on a caregiver is inevitable, which means a loss of independence. Can anyone honestly blame Michael J. Fox for endorsing a senator who is interested in finding a cure for this disease? Wouldn't you?
According to Fox's website, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 1991, which means he's been living with the disease for around 15 years. Anyone who either lives with or knows someone who is living with Parkinson's Disease knows that, like other diseases such as cancer, Parkinson's has several "stages".
Stage 1: Mild tremors, loss of balance/posture, facial grimaces
Stage 2: Symptoms are bilateral, difficulties walking, maintaining balance, everyday tasks are
more difficult
Stage 3: Symptoms of stages 1 and 2 are more severe, with difficulties walking or even
standing, and noticably slower physical movements
Stage 4: Rigid movements, bradykinesia (extreme slowness of movement) , inability to live on
their own, sometimes tremors lessen during this stage
Stage 5: The disease takes over all physical movement, may not be able to walk or stand alone,
may be unable to take care of self
*description of stages from webmd.com
Depending on the stage, the day of the week, the amount of sleep a person has gotten, what time of day it is, if they are "in between" meds, if their current meds aren't working, their stress level, and how the stars are aligned in the night sky, a person's symptoms can worsen or get better from one day to the next. To have your mind intact and be able to watch your body deteriorate is a horrible thing to deal with, especially because your dependence on a caregiver is inevitable, which means a loss of independence. Can anyone honestly blame Michael J. Fox for endorsing a senator who is interested in finding a cure for this disease? Wouldn't you?
posted by Notta Wallflower at 4:09 PM
14 Comments:
Right on!!
I had an uncle with Parkinsons. I know, first hand, how devastating this disease can be.
Fox was quite young when he was afflicted, which makes it even worse. He has young children to worry about.
TSHS - When I was doing my practicums for the speech program, I worked with several patients with Parkinson's. Then, I liked working with that population so much that I did my research project on a voice treatment program for people with Parkinson's, so I saw things. I can't imagine being diagnosed as young as Fox was. He's very lucky to have a supportive family.
Yeah. Sometimes I think Rush Limbaugh is really a Democratic mole, just out there to get people to vote against Republicans. Many times in recent years I've thought that no one could really be that much of an ass. But this takes the cake.
He's pretty out there. I don't bother trying to figure him out, as far as his political leaning. Of course, it's easy for a person like him to make such an accusation, since he himself is not afflicted with any disease (cough, Vicodin addiction, cough).
Yes, I'm certain that many successful actors give up their careers to fake degenerative diseases, just so they can subtly influence political debates more than a decade later. It's about time someone called them on it. ;P
I'm amazed SME! I was expecting some of your infamous Rush expletives. ;)
SME - You made my point better than I did. :-P I just kept thinking how crazy of an accusation that was. But whoever said that Rush is sane?
TSHS - I guess I've not seen enough of SME's blogs - I've missed out on these alleged expletives. ;-)
Grr...I've signed up for the Google Beta blogger and it posts my posts as "jen", just FYI.
I don't think she's blogged about Rush. When she lived at home, he had a late-night show, and she would wake me up ranting at him!
When I was a teen, I watched Rush for a straight month. Can't remember why. But it was an infuriating month.
Ha, ha - you're into self-torture, I see. I do that too, but just in different ways.
Notta, my father-in-law has Parkinson's and it is hard for me to watch a man who is so intelligent lose control of his body slowly. In fact, I broke down and cried because I never truly realized how bad he really was. He is a slave to his meds that are slowly becoming ineffective. He has the tremors and he suddenly stops moving and it's hard because you want to help him but he is so proud and he doesn't feel that he needs help. He has very few options left and stem cell research is needed now.
"Self-torture", that's exactly it! Must be why I listened to Dr. Laura for a few weeks, too...
;D
Angelique - I'm very sorry about your father-in-law. That's just it, though. Even though new medications keep coming out, it's just another one in a long line. I think meds are just the "band-aid" while waiting for a cure. :-/
SME - Oh gawd - Dr. Laura? I've only listened to her once or twice and I can't even get past her voice. I found myself rolling my eyes way too often.
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