Newswise ST. PAUL, Minn. (April 5, 2012) Former NASA astronaut Michael Rich Clifford is calling on fellow patients with Parkinsons disease not to let the disease drive what they do. Cliffords inspiring story and advice for patients is featured as the cover story in the latest issue of Neurology Now, the American Academy of Neurologys award-winning magazine for patients and caregivers.

Clifford was diagnosed with Parkinsons in 1994 during the early stages of the disease, but he didnt allow it to keep him from climbing aboard the shuttle Atlantis and rocketing off into space for the third time. My NASA medical community knew about my Parkinsons and assumed I wouldnt want to fly again, said Clifford. But I said no, no, no.

Until recently, no one other than NASA medical staff and senior management knew how extraordinary his third flight to space had been because Clifford had kept his newly diagnosed medical condition private.

I didnt want to be identified as the man with Parkinsons flying in space. Plus, I felt the focus should be on the mission, not someone on the mission, said Clifford.

Clifford says he feels the same optimism today as he did when he was first diagnosed with the disease 18 years ago and hopes other Parkinsons patients do too. Dont let Parkinsons drive what you want to do. Remember that youre in charge of your future.

Learn more about Cliffords story, including the Public Leadership in Neurology Award he is receiving this year from the American Academy of Neurology Foundation, in the latest issue of Neurology Now in print, online at http://www.neurologynow.com, and new for the iPad. Plus, find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Neurology Now is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, part of Wolters Kluwer Health.

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About the American Academy of Neurology The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 25,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimers disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, Parkinsons disease and epilepsy. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube.

About Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (LWW) is a leading international publisher of trusted content delivered in innovative ways to practitioners, professionals and students to learn new skills, stay current on their practice, and make important decisions to improve patient care and clinical outcomes.

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Astronaut with Parkinson's Calls on Patients to Take Charge of Their Future