Letters to the editor: Support End Parkinson's Act; Butler was right pick for Senate

Raising Parkinson’s awareness

Parkinson’s disease is trending, and I’m glad. As a Parkinson’s patient, I’m pleased to see this disease that affects more than 1 million Americans finally getting the attention it deserves.

The National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act, a bipartisan bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) and Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.). It represents a historic moment for the Parkinson’s community. This act will unite the federal government and private enterprise in a mission to prevent and cure Parkinson’s, alleviate financial and health burdens on American families, and ensure those living with the disease have access to the care they need.

My Parkinson’s story began in Vietnam, where I was exposed to Agent Orange during the war. Twenty years later, I returned to Vietnam on a USAID mission to assess the effects of Agent Orange on children and was horrified by what I saw.

I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in my 60s after returning from a short-term assignment in Liberia during an Ebola outbreak. A sudden tremor and altered gait prompted a battery of tests, confirming my diagnosis.

After a long career in humanitarian service, I shifted gears and became a chaplain. In this new role, I confronted the fears Parkinson’s brought, finding solace in supporting others facing the same battle.

Six years later, I am still grateful to be vertical. I continue to live my life to the fullest, and I am committed to raising awareness about Parkinson’s disease.

Joe Harbison, Port Hueneme

Brilliant move by Newsom

Re: Dan Walters’ Oct. 4 column, “Newsom may have dug up new problem”:

Gov. Newsom may have made a brilliant move by tapping Laphonza Butler to fill Dianne Feinstein’s Senate seat.

Though few Californians knew who she was, Butler’s well-known among national labor movements as a determined and powerful supporter of workers. Adam Schiff, Barbara Lee and Katie Porter each offer some pro-labor credentials but not nearly as much as Butler, who has led California’s and thus the nation’s efforts to raise minimum wages at a time when workers are suffering financial hardships.

Why a brilliant move by Newsom? If President Biden isn’t the Democrat candidate in 2024, Newsom could be and if so his choice of Butler would provide her with a national platform to becoming Labor Secretary while paying big dividends in mobilizing labor and unions behind a Newsom presidency.

Gary Selvaggio, Simi Valley

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Letters: Support End Parkinson's Act; Butler was right pick for Senate