From the New York Times, a discussion among people with chronic illness about how much information to give their employers about their medical condition. Richard M. Cohen, author of “Strong at the Broken Places,” says he didn’t tell his employer about his multiple sclerosis because he was afraid he would be considered unemployable.

Others disclose their diagnoses right away. Gayle Backstrom, author of “I’d Rather Be Working,” advises people to keep their conditions to themselves as long as possible, just to be on the safe side.

The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits an employer from dismissing or failing to hire a chronically-ill employee on the basis of that disability “if they are able to do the job with reasonable accommodation,” Backstrom said. But in many cases, “reasonable” and “able” and even “job” all become open to interpretation.

From the [Milwaukee] Journal-Sentinel:

William Barnewitz, principal French horn player for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, wants to be identified for who he is, not what he’s got. His recently released CD, “Long Road Home,” includes works by Bach, Brahms, Mozart and Schubert. Proceeds go to the Wisconsin Parkinson Association. Colleagues say his musical performance ability is still going strong.

McCartney look-alike performs for, encourages fellow Parkinson’s patients

From the Chicago Tribune:

Mike Oltersdorf is a Paul McCartney look-alike who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease three years ago.

Oltersdorf’s presentations to Parkinson’s support groups — using Beatles lyrics and a phrase he plucked from a McDonald’s placemat: “Do something worth remembering” — are meant to encourage fellow Parkinson’s sufferers to reach out to others and to continue doing what they love.

“This is about expanding possibilities,” said the West Dundee man who works as a telemarketer for a machine tool company. “I like to tell people I look a bit like Paul McCartney and I shake like Michael J. Fox.”

Cover story by Daniel Bergner in the New York Times Magazine: (login required)

Cover headline: Booth Gardner is a 71-year-old former governor of Washington State running one last campaign: To let people — including someday people like him, with Parkinson’s or other debilitating nonterminal diseases — take their own lives. The next assisted suicide could be even more morally fraught.

His son is among those fighting him every step of the way.