The chronic, progressive illness is marked by tremors, muscle weakness and a shuffling gait.

CNN: New patch may control Parkinson's symptoms better - Sept. 3, 1996

Pensioners should not have to take on cleaning jobs to make ends meet, mothers with young children - or indeed fathers - should not have to leave them in day-care, people with disabilities may not be able to stay in employment during different phases of a progressive illness.

BBC: Jackie Ballard: Principle into power

Now, as a society, we must pressure the medical community to ensure that everyone with a terminal illness benefits from better, more progressive treatment to alleviate pain.

FORBES: Fact and Comment

Ms MacDonald's bill would allow people whose lives became intolerable through a progressive degenerative condition, a trauma or terminal illness to seek a doctor's help in dying.

BBC: Margo MacDonald

Every day, families across our country confront the tragic realities of Alzheimer's disease -- an irreversible, fatal illness that robs men and women of their cherished memories and leads to progressive mental and physical impairments.

WHITEHOUSE: The White House