An open letter to Jennifer Wexton

Dear Ms. Wexton, 

I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).   Most people don’t know what that is, but I do.  My mother had PSP.  They used to say there was no family connection between the Parkinson’s family of diseases. That is, it was not genetic.   But my maternal grandmother had Parkinson’s, my mother had PSP, and I have Parkinson’s.  I am 10 years since diagnosis, so it is starting to really have its effects. As far as I know, they have not found a gene that links Parkinson’s to PSP, but they will.

PSP is a hard disease.  Concentrate on getting the best care team you can get. There are excellent providers in our area.  Concentrate on being with your family and getting joy out of every good day.

Sincerely,

One of your constituents  

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