Dear Mr. President, - Please let me walk - H.R. 810

[DanCa]

Dear Mr. President,

My name is Daniel Caithamer and I am a 37-year-old male from Illinois.
I am writing to you today to let you know that my body is under assault by terrorism.
We call the terrorist name in question Young Onset Parkinson Disease and I fight the battle daily.

I have to engage my opponent every day at the brink on dawn. On most days, my throat stiffens in the middle of the night and I wake up gagging. If I am lucky I can sit up on the edge of the bed, start breathing normally and take my medicine. If not I have to force myself to vomit so that I can breathe normally. On other days, when I am lucky my throat is not stiff but my body is frozen. Can you imagine that upon awakening you cannot move any part of your body at all? In this state I usually have to wait an hour or so for movement to begin by moving a small joint such as a finger or a toe. From there I can begin to limber up enough so that I can take my medicine. This process usually takes several hours.

It is now nine o’clock and the indignities begin. It starts with someone helping me up the stairs so that I can take a shower, get dressed, and attend to personal hygiene. Can you imagine the indignity of this situation, Mr. President? On some days I can barely hold a razor in my hand because my tremors are so severe. It is now ten o’clock and it has taken me hours to accomplish that normal tasks that most people take for granted. These are just my mornings. Dear Mr. President please listens to my reasons for not vetoing H.R. 810. I need embryonic stem cell research as weapon in my war against terror.

Dear Mr.President,
Do you know what it's like to have people laughing at you for not being able to type correctly because you can't control your hands or feel the keyboard?

Dear Mr. President
You like to run, imagine if you could not. Imagine being forced to sit in a wheel chair all day because your legs refuse to work on that particular day.

Dear Mr. President:
You say that they should treat every human being with dignity yet where is the dignity in the following. Have they stopped you by the police for walking like your drunk, and your not? Have they denied you food service because your hands shake so badly that you leave the tables in the mess? Have you ever known the embarrassment of falling down in public and having people’s laugh at you for it? . Have you ever had an accident in your pants in public because your legs froze and you could not reach the bathroom in time?

Dear Mr. President,
Do you know what its like to live in fear because you can't work because you have PD and someone wants to take your SSDI away? Mr. President has someone called you a welfare king because you have no choice but to go on SSDI because you need money to pay for your doctor and perscriptions.

Dear Mr. President,
Do you know what it's like to have people to laugh at you because I pray for science to come up with a cure for this disease?

Dear Mr. President
You say that you pray but what if your church told you that you cannot pray. I can no longer attend the church of my birth because I pray for a cure as stem cell research. A research that your party has declared a moral sin. Did I thank your Mr. President for turning my life or death situation into a wedge issue for your party’s political platform? Funny I thought churches were supposed to help the sick and the needy and not the wealthy and healthy.

Dear Mr. President
You say that human embryonic research destroys human life. Have you ever been inside a research lab? I have been to a lab and I did not see lockers full of dead fetuses. The cells are kept frozen for safety, and the scientist treat the cells with great care. I did not see two headed babies being cloned, and I couldn’t find any cages full of animal human hybrids. These are just myths and nightmare scenarios that your “pro life base” wants you to imagine. Finally we simply do not have the technology and resources to grown humans in jars.

Dear Mr. President:
You say human embryonic research destroys human life. Yet what about the lives that they are destroying because stem cell research is not taking place. I am a human being. A living human breathing human being, with hands, feet, a brain, and a heart, and a soul. Why am I being denied my constituitonal rights for an embryo that “may” or may not grow into a human being. And whats the next step, should we outlaw hair cuts because stem cells can form into hair cells?.

Dear Mr President,
Inclosing I implore you not to veto House Bill H.R. 810. The life you save by not vetoing is mine.
Sincerely Yours
Daniel Caithamer,

[annabanana]

1. Have you sent this as an LTTE?

You should.

[DanCa]

6. Thank you

I have tried several times to get this letter and others like it into the paper but it keeps getting shot down by the daily herald.

[Philosoraptor]

2. Help the poor and the afflicted Mr. President, Please.

Great rant, stay strong.

[Gormy Cuss]

3. I second annabanana. Send this to the White House too

and for them enclose a picture. The more faces associated with the veto decision, the better.

[Warpy]

4. Mr President doesn't give a shit about you

and dreams only of implanting all those unwanted frozen embryos into unwilling women, especially the career women who have always made him feel so dumb all his life. As a second choice, he would rather their "parents" thaw them and throw them into the garbage than use them to help you or any other person it's "god's will" to strike with a terrible and potentially curable disease.

I only wish Karma would act a little faster on Mr. President so he could start learning his lessons in this life rather than coming back in the next and doing it all over again.

[Vinca]

5. The stupidity of the situation is mind boggling.

The frozen embryos will be destroyed as medical waste if they aren't implanted. What kind of sanctity of life is that? Idiot Senator Brownback had charts up today showing pictures of embryos and across from them photos of Mother Theresa, JFK, MLK, etc., the point being, of course, an embryo destroyed for research might prevent the birth of similar human beings. I wanted to email and ask him to put up a chart with embryos and photos of Charlie Manson, Hitler and . . . can't resist . . . Ann Coulter. It's just a stupid, simplistic argument. We can't let them leave people like Daniel behind when there's hope. Can the Senate override the monkey's veto? Recommended your post.

[DanCa]

8. All that I really want the objectors to do

Is to go down to the lab for themselves and see the process first hand. I did and it was extremly enlightening. I am tired of all the name calling from the right. I have been called everything from a toddler killer to an embryo farmer and these people dont have a clue as too what they are talking about. When I lobbied last year with pan I had one Bishop actually tell me that God is punishing with parkinsons disease because I want to harness babies for my own use. It's beyond madness it's just plain bat shit crazy.

[Vinca]

37. For whatever it's worth, I emailed Gregg and Sununu,

my 'puke senators. I started to email his majesty, but I couldn't produce anything civil enough to send.

[robbedvoter]

7. Too bad you sent it to a sociopath - incapable of empathy.

But others hear you. You should send this to several papers as LTTE.

[WildEyedLiberal]

9. Hang in there, Dan

:hug:

By the way - I think God knows who the real Christians are, and whose heart is kind and just, and who the false prophets who only look out for themselves are.

[FormerOstrich]

10. DanCa...

Your letter is very powerful. You are a leader. I can't imagine any publication that would refuse to print this. How very small of them. With your permission, I will submit it to the Arizona Republic on your behalf. I don't know how far I'll get but I'll give it my best shot. I'd love to see this published here.

[DanCa]

11. Thank you and I accept your offer. :D)

Hugs and peace, lets get the word out. People's lives are at stake with the Chimp's veto.

[FormerOstrich]

16. Great!! I'll send you a message letting you know....

Thanks, I feel honored!

[pacalo]

12. Bless your heart, Dan.

Wish I could give you a hug. :hug:

Great letter.

[FuzzySlippers]

13. This is very powerful!

Thank you for posting it, Danny.

:hug:

[mom cat]

14. Thank you for the courage to make such a powerful statement.

Your message is not being ignored here.

[blue neen]

15. You wrote a very eloquent and hearfelt letter.

It is such a mystery how these neo-cons can actually call themselves "pro-life."

Your life is very valuable, DanCa.

[Pithy Cherub]

17. May your letter open hearts and fill minds

with the knowledge of how important this issue is to so many of us who have to overcome huge hurdles. Danca, that was a testament to to the honor and wisdom that you carry in your solid gold beautiful soul. Many Blessings to you!

[SeattleGirl]

18. Danny, what an incredible letter.

And what an incredible person you are, my friend. What Bush and the fundies are doing to you, and to anyone who could benefit greatly from stem cell research, is immoral, in my opinion. It is obvious from their stance on everything from stem cell research to programs to help those in need (which they hate), that they truly are NOT "pro-life." They are "pro" keep women barefoot and pregnant. They are "pro" hate. They are NOT "pro-life". They do not care about people once they are born; that much is obvious.

But my friend, I care, and so do many others. I would echo others, and urge you to send this to the White House. And, with your permission, I would like to send this to my representative (Jim McDermott), and my senators, Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell.

[DanCa]

21. SG everyone thank you for your support.

I love you all very much. I wont be watching cspan "debate" this issue any more. All the right wing does is spew lies, and insult people. I wonder if Sam Brownback even knows how to use a microscope.:mad:
You guys made feel a whole lot better and a little less alone today. :hugs:

[smokey nj]

19. Powerful letter, Dan. n/t

[tuvor]

20. Thank you, Daniel.

Other than prayers, I'm at a loss for words.

[rucky]

22. Give 'em hell, Dan!

We're with you!

[Hekate]

23. Dan, have you tried sending this to your Congresscritter?

I believe my congresswoman Lois Capps, a former nurse, would read such a letter into the Congressional Record if it came from a constituent. She might do so anyway!

Regardless, send your letter to the White House with copies to your senators and representative. It would take a heart of stone -- or a compassionate conservative -- to remain unmoved.

Thank you for being here at DU, and teaching us by your presence. :hug:

Hekate

[DanCa]

25. With all of DU's encouragement :D)

I sent this to both Barrack Obamma and Dick Durbin. I even sent it to Denny Hasterate because I felt that he may need something to read after his bout with celloulitis. (sp)

[Bluebear]

24. You are a hero. nt

[Hissyspit]

26. Welcome back, DanCa!

The concert in NJ was great.
Very good post.

[DanCa]

28. Tinley park was awesome

we were three rows away from the pit. Oh Pbs will show "Great Performances" the london Springsteen special at three thirty am central time. Just FYI.

[Laurab]

27. K & R

very powerful letter - I'm speechless.

[varkam]

29. It's not often I read something that moves me like that.

Excellent, excellent letter, sir. A well deserved K&R.

[NMMNG]

30. You should send this to every major newspaper

Excellent letter DanCa! :applause:

[Philosoraptor]

31. kick bush's ass

[Philosoraptor]

32. kick for the sick

[Philosoraptor]

33. ............

..........

[babylonsister]

34. Daniel,

:yourock: :yourock:

What a great letter! I hope you send this far and wide! You speak for many people!

:loveya: :hug:

[DanCa]

35. I just wanted to thank everyone for recommending this.

I really appreciate the support from all of you.. Especially today.
My best possible thoughts white light and prayers go out to each and everyone of you.
:hug:

[blm]

36. Dan, here's another kick for you and some links you'll appreciate.

There are lawmakers always out there for you and for all of us.


Kerry Intern’s Presence Puts a Face in the Stem Cell Debate
http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=3625

John Kerry Pens OP/ED on Stem Cell Research
http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=3626

[newyawker99]

38. kick

:kick:

[theHandpuppet]

39. DanCa, you have more courage and intergrity in your little finger...

... than George W. Bush could ever hope to muster in his miserable lifetime. The so-called pro-lifers who oppose this research should hang their heads in SHAME.

[DanCa]

40. Thank you my friend.

I am just on a real emotional roller coaster right now. The bill passes, it's what the majority of the people want, yet with one stroke of his pen the decideder can keep me crippled. It's just not right damnit.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

41. Go, DanCa !

[Philosoraptor]

42. I can't walk either Bro, but I STAND WITH YOU.

Different affliction for me, but very similar situation. We are in a fight Dan.

[DanCa]

44. I got your back.too my friend

In the words of Peter Seeger, "We shall overcome."

[Philosoraptor]

43. ..................

.................

[helderheid]

45. Send this to him via here!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1666346

[DanCa]

46. Great Idea.

I am copying aposting it to your petition now. Thank you so much.

[readmoreoften]

47. Dan, I thought I posted to you, but I think my message didn't make it.

I am by your side completely. I sent your message to my family and asked them to email it around, and to send it in to the local paper.

We will get this overturned. We will make them pay politically. If there is anything I can do to help, let me know.

[bluethruandthru]

48. I'm with you Dan!

I have a daughter with Type 1 diabetes and I've been fighting this battle for years. I can't even get my daughter's grandparents to admit that Bush is an idiot who's holding back research that could save their grandchild's eyesight, kidneys, heart, limbs, life!
Thank God most of the rest of the country has finally been able to get the truth about Embryonic Stem Cell Research. It's been so difficult just to get the truth out there when you have idiots like Rush and Hannity and Faux news all condeming what could prove to be life saving research. This is the same fight Al Gore's been having with Global Warming information.
Don't give up Dan...I know I won't! We'll win this fight!
:hug: