James Armstrong outlines one common problem with the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease; lack of counseling and guidance. I can see how frustrated Mr. Armstrong would be from not getting proper advice. It was up to him to find ways of coping, in which I don’t think he did. Also, the Parkinson’s disease Foundation could be a starting point for a support system. Not sure if this was available at the time of this essay. Amplified by the chronic, frequent, intermittent pain his father began to suffer from. The possibility that it was emotionally based seem evident. Just because you have chronic pain does mean you have to be grimacing all the time. I suffer from chronic pain and I make a conscious effort not to show my discomfort. That is just me because I don’t like all the questions and it makes me feel uncomfortable. I do appreciate people caring about me, but I don’t like being a “Debbie downer”. I truly believe Mr. Armstrong fathers’ Parkinson’s played a role in his lack of emotion during these painful bouts. I am confused is to how the family knew how to gauge the intensity of the pain. I no part of the essay did they explain this. Mr. Armstrong only states “What was the cause of this intense pain”. How did he determine the intensity? Did the dad tell them it was intense without reaction? He did state how he saw his discomfort at home but never evident to the doctors. It also seems the mother wasn’t the most helpful. Providing the wrong type of diet and the too frequent enemas and catheters was a red flag that they needed more help. This is where support groups would have been beneficial. I also think the mother should have been evaluated for early dementia. I feel for Mr. Armstrong for the fact he did not have help when it came to other family members. One of my best friends is dealing with a similar situation now. He is an only child. His parents are in their 80’s. His father needed to be placed in skilled