The Tackling Tough Topics BLOG: Anger, and the Fight Parkinson’s Forced Upon Us
I am angry.
Not the kind of anger that flares and fades, but the kind that settles into your bones and lives there. The kind that comes from watching someone you love disappear in pieces while still standing right in front of you.
Parkinson’s disease took my mother. It took my best friend. Her name was Sharon. And I am angry at Parkinson’s for every moment it stole from her, from us, from everyone who loved her.
I am angry at a disease that is still so widely misunderstood. Angry that people think it’s “just tremors” or something that only comes with old age. Angry that they don’t see the rigidity, the freezing, the exhaustion, the depression, the fear. Angry that they don’t see the caregivers quietly breaking under the weight of loving someone through it.
And I am angry at how alone this fight can feel.
There are incredible people out there—families, advocates, researchers, doctors, organizations—who show up every day with heart, dedication, and relentless hope. I hold deep gratitude for them. Truly. They are the reason many of us are still standing.
But there are still too many who are not showing up.
I am angry at the lack of urgency from politicians who speak in careful sound bites but fail to back words with meaningful action. Angry at the media for not giving Parkinson’s the sustained attention it deserves. Angry that awareness spikes briefly and then fades, while families continue to live this reality every single day.
Parkinson’s doesn’t wait. It doesn’t pause for budget cycles or election years. It doesn’t care about headlines or algorithms.
So why do we accept delay?
We don’t need to be fragmented. We don’t need to compete for attention or resources. We don’t need silos, egos, or “us versus them.” What we need—desperately—is unity.
We need to be a family.
One movement.
One voice.
One group locked arm-in-arm in this fight for a cure.
Anger can be destructive, yes—but it can also be clarifying. My anger reminds me why I speak up. Why I refuse to stay quiet. Why I say Sharon’s name. Why I say my mother’s name. Why I push for more, even when it’s uncomfortable.
This disease has taken too much already.
If you are living with Parkinson’s, loving someone with Parkinson’s, or grieving someone Parkinson’s took from you—your anger is valid. Your exhaustion is valid. Your hope, even when it feels fragile, is valid too.
Let’s turn our anger into alignment.
Let’s turn our grief into action.
Let’s turn our individual stories into one collective demand:
Do better.
Care more.
Act now.
Because Parkinson’s is not a niche issue.
It is not rare enough to ignore.
And it is not finished with us—but we are far from finished fighting back.
For Sharon.
For my mother.
For all of us.
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Want to share a Blog on a PD topic? Reach out to togetherforsharon@gmail.com
TogetherForSharon® In memory of my mother, Sharon to voice awareness & hope for a Parkinson’s Disease cure
Do you have a story to tell, a journey to share, or a blog you’d like to write?
We are always looking for writers, bloggers, and Parkinson’s advocates who want to team up and raise awareness together.
If you’re interested, please email us at togetherforsharon@gmail.com.
You can also explore our blog here:
https://togetherforsharon.com/parkinsons-blogs/
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Dr. George Ackerman is from Brooklyn, N.Y. He now resides in Florida and works in the fields of law, police, and education. George lost his mother, Sharon Riff Ackerman, on 1/1/2020 due to Parkinson’s Disease.
George wanted to honor his mother and continue to help in the Parkinson’s awareness cause, but he did not know how to bring about change. With my family, we started TogetherForSharon® to keep my mother, Sharon Riff Ackerman, ‘s memory alive and share the message of Parkinson’s Awareness and hope for a cure.
Today, https://www.togetherforsharon.com/ reaches thousands of individuals across the country to raise awareness of Parkinson’s disease. George currently interviews individuals throughout the Parkinson’s community, including various foundations, caregivers, and Parkinson’s warriors, to help share their stories and causes.