Probing Parkinson’s Mysteries As a first-year medical student who was required to take a course in neuroscience last semester, I can honestly say that I loved your article, “The New War on Parkinson’s” (SOCIETY, May 22). The PET scans, diagrams and factual information concerning drugs and symptoms were right on target. God bless Michael J. Fox and everyone else who is working around the clock to solve this horrible degenerative disease. Good job, NEWSWEEK; I think you might just have helped America out here. Sashi Arabolu Oklahoma City, Okla.
My 53-year-old brother-in-law was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s almost two decades ago. I have watched how he and my sister and their sons have dealt with this cruel disease. As NEWSWEEK stated with perfect accuracy, “the miracles eventually cease.” Indeed they do. The reality of a “chronic,” not “acute,” disorder places unbelievable stress on victims and their families. Your profiles of a cancer surgeon, a fabulously successful actor and a well-known author as Parkinson’s sufferers give a skewed perspective. Michael J. Fox can ski and travel, the surgeon can still occasionally ride his collection of motorcycles and I’d wager that Pauline Kael can afford quality in-home care. I don’t want to diminish their battles, but if anyone wants to get teary-eyed, come spend some time with my sister, a sixth-grade teacher, and my brother-in-law, a former English teacher, and witness the lives of a couple of everyday heroes. Ann K. Fronckowiak Buffalo, N.Y.
My father has always been my hero. His heroism continues as he copes with Parkinson’s disease. His erratic tremors don’t stop him from playing tennis. His constant exhaustion doesn’t stop him from helping to lead his area support group. And his wild, jerky movements add to the humor when he performs his magic as “The Great Parkinsoni.” Like millions of others, he does his best to keep on living his life with courage and dignity. Jill Green Phoenix, Ariz.
As a physician engaged in medical research, I truly appreciate the importance of fetal-tissue and stem-cell research, as demonstrated in your cover story. Political wrangling over fetal-tissue research could threaten the future health of patients suffering from Parkinson’s, AIDS and other agonizing chronic afflictions. The quality of life and future health of these patients are simply too high a price to pay for political gain. Seymour L. Romney, M.D., Chair Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health New York, N.Y.
Thank you so much for sharing Michael J. Fox’s fight with your readers. I, too, am in the fight with Michael. I also have a movement disorder, similar to Parkinson’s disease, called dystonia. Our hope is that with Michael’s face in the spotlight for Parkinson’s, those of us with very similar movement disorders will also be brought closer to a cure. As Fox and all of us fight for an ultimate cure, we are finding amazing ways to cope and overcome. Many people with movement disorders have found help from service dogs. The dogs can act as a brace to prevent falls, pull wheelchairs and even break the Parkinsonian “freeze” you described by placing a paw on the person’s foot. Such dogs have enabled many people with Parkinson’s to regain the independence lost to the disease. My own “independence” dog has joined me as a true partner in my personal battle. Jenelle Dorner Bloomington, Ind.
Bubble-Gum Pop Grows Up As I was reading through your May 22 article on “bubble-gum” music (“The Tiger Beat Goes On,” ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT), I was deeply offended. Are you going to tell me that when you were growing up, you didn’t adore the Beatles? It’s the same for this generation! I happen to like the Backstreet Boys, and let me say right now that the expiration date you mention for them is nowhere near. I swear, you guys sound just like my dad. Lauren Cooper Columbus, Ind.
I was quite pleased to stumble upon your article on Hanson. The amazingly talented musicians who make up the band truly deserve the recognition. In a time of computer-enhanced vocals, choreographed dance moves and disingenuous attempts at songwriting, Hanson stands out as a band of phenomenal talent and exceptional musical ability. Hanson is clearly a step above the rest, and your article vividly illustrated their genuine talent and love for music. I’m glad NEWSWEEK has recognized the band’s rare, and tremendous, musical abilities. Emily Rathgeber Clifton, N.J.
I know the media continually insist that the Backstreet Boys’ fan base consists only of fickle teenagers, but let me assure you that this is not the case. Perhaps you should take a look at the Mature Fan Club (www.maturefanclub.com). It consists of BSB fans over the age of 25 and has almost 1,000 members. And membership is growing. That indicates to me that BSB has loyal fans who are very much looking forward to what it has in store for us in the future. Michelle Bess Covina, Calif.
Your article on Hanson states that the three brothers are “fighting for their right to adulthood.” I wish them luck, particularly in light of the fact that the acronym of their first names (Zac, Isaac and Taylor) is “ZIT.” Charles Crockford Ontario, Canada
Rudy Under Siege Voters and the media justly condemn Rudy Giuliani for the callous public announcement he made about the dissolution of his marriage—before informing his wife (“Sex and the City,” NATIONAL AFFAIRS, May 22). But the merciless man also apparently chose the press conference to inform his two children. We might possibly forgive, or overlook, the mayor’s marital trespasses. But for what he did to his children, he should be flogged in Times Square. Kate Karpilow Berkeley, Calif.
Rudy’s behavior throws more dung at the Blessed Virgin Mary than any artist ever did. Dee Trujillo Denver, Colo.
I’m 14 years old and enjoy your magazine every week. But I was outraged and saddened by what you wrote about Rudy Giuliani, who has a terrible disease: cancer. Right now he needs love, support, encouragement and privacy. He has enough problems and doesn’t need the media making jokes about him. Give him a break! Elizabeth Crane Clinton, Ind.
The Popular Passat We were pleased to have a mention in your story “VW Rides a Hot Streak” (BUSINESS, May 22). But we wanted to make it clear that we put the Volkswagen Passat on the cover of our Annual Auto Issue in April because it rated tops among four-cylinder family cars in our rigorous tests—not because it was our “readers’ favorite inexpensive family car.” Consumer Reports also conducts two separate reader surveys: one to obtain data on how various cars hold up over time and how often they need repairs, and another to determine if buyers are satisfied or not with their cars. Our readers also like the Passat: it received the highest score this year in our satisfaction survey.
David Heim Managing Editor Consumer Reports Yonkers, N.Y.
Clarification Our May 29 story about Texas death-row inmate Ricky McGinn (“A Life or Death Gamble,” NATIONAL AFFAIRS) should have made clear that Elisabeth Semel, director of the American Bar Association’s Death Penalty Representation Project, was not speaking on behalf of the ABA. Also, she has no firsthand knowledge of the McGinn case and was speaking hypothetically about a lawyer’s conduct when she said it was “outrageous” that an appellate attorney for McGinn was not consulting adequately with the client and his family.
