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Parkinson's Sufferer Does Top McCartney Impression

CHICAGO (AP) ― Until Parkinson's disease caused Mike Oltersdorf to start shaking badly, all his troubles seemed so far away. The Paul McCartney impersonator won a string of look-alike contests and was paid to impersonate the ex-Beatle everywhere from Las Vegas to Belgium.

That fantasy life appeared to end ten months ago when he decided to hang up his Sergeant Pepper's jacket for good because of the worsening tremors. But now he's back, thanks to medication and a wish to inspire fellow Parkinson's patients in presentations to support groups.

The 57-year-old uses his guitar, Beatles lyrics and a phrase spotted on a McDonald's place mat -- "Do something worth remembering" -- to encourage other Parkinson's sufferers.

The West Dundee man says he likes to joke to people that he looks a bit like Paul McCartney and shakes like Michael J. Fox. 

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(© 2008 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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