Voices of Resilience: Conversations with Parkinson’s Disease Warriors, Caregivers, and Advocates – Book II Paperback and Kindle versions available.

About the Book….

This book of interviews aims to raise awareness and hope for a cure for Parkinson’s Disease. I contacted individuals worldwide to obtain the interviews because PD does not discriminate and affects individuals, families, and communities worldwide. I believe we must be family in this fight for a cure. When I learned that approximately 1 million individuals are diagnosed in the United States and over 10 million worldwide, I felt that many other journeys needed to be shared. So many inspired me to keep advocating for a cure!

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Order a Copy of BOOK II Here

Paperback and Kindle (eBook) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DHQGPFF7

Dedication

To all those battling Parkinson’s disease and their families and communities throughout the world and in memory of my mother, Sharon, who fought her Parkinson’s valiantly to the end.

Endorsements:

George’s new book, Voices of Resilience: Conversations with Parkinson’s Warriors, Caregivers, and Advocates, is a must read. The book provides valuable insight into Parkinson’s and other chronic diseases. You will find tons of interviews from people like me living with Parkinson’s and their caregivers. The book also includes interviews from people who have expert knowledge in a wide range areas, such as holistic medicine, exercise and wellness, neurology, speech therapy, rehabilitation, and so much more. This is not just any book; the interviews collected are an inspiration to all of us fighting chronic diseases.

—Dawn Howard, Author living with Parkinson’s and
Parkinson’s Activist

See the interview with Dawn in Chapter 1.

George has worked tirelessly to put together the stories of those living with Parkinson’s, impacted by Parkinson’s and working for and with people with Parkinson’s. Not only are these interviews impactful, but they are also informative about where we are fighting this disease and where we need to go. The book celebrates the Parkinson’s community and shows how we are more powerful fighting together for better treatments and a cure.

—Kim Jacobsen, Parkinson’s Advocate, Civil Rights Attorney, and living well with Parkinson’s

This book of journeys is a beautiful tribute by Dr. George Ackerman. His relentless quest to honor his mother, Sharon, is clearly seen as well as bringing awareness about Parkinson’s disease through the eyes of those who live it daily in these heartfelt interviews.”

—Tim Lockard, founder of MYPDPARTY, Ambassador for Turnto, and 5-year Parkinson’s Warrior

A must-read book highlighting our amazing Parkinson’s community. Telling stories of hope, courage and resilience. Let’s not forget our amazing caregivers who didn’t sign up for this life but face it head on as we do and become our rocks and guiding light. George has done it again, bringing these amazing stories to the world. A true advocate for this disease and hope for a cure.

—Adam Locke, YOPD Advocate

George is a fierce advocate for those of us living with Parkinson’s disease. He is committed to ending this devastating disease by raising awareness in memory of his mother. His ability to amplify the stories of others, as he has through the interviews included in this book, is a vital part of the work to end Parkinson’s. We are lucky to have him by our side.

—Allie Signorelli, Parkinson’s Patient Advocate

Incredible work! These interviews shine a powerful light on Parkinson’s, highlighting the resilience of individuals facing the disease and what we can accomplish together. A big thank you to TogetherforSharon for your friendship and for including me in your book. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.”

— Wendy van Wijk, Founder and Editor,
Enjoying Life With Parkinson’s

See the interview with Wendy in Chapter 7.

Table of Contents

Praise iii
Dedication v
Introduction 1
Chapter 1: People with Parkinson’s 5
Julie Fitzgerald on Advocacy 6
Matt Eagles, ParkyLife 12
Phil Jerky, No Great Shakes 19
Gary Keating, Basketball Coach, Caring For Caregivers 22
Michael Sweet on Advocacy 26
Marty Lukaszewski on Advocacy 29
John Reyes, The Parkinson’s Runner and Team Fox 34
Bill Willard on Advocacy through Facebook 40
Dawn Howard, Dawn’s Hope Inc and TikTok Advocacy 43
John Zells on Advocacy, DBS/Boston Scientific, and the LEGO Project 47
A. C. Woolnough on PD Awareness 54
Tracy McBee on PD Advocacy 57
Steven Steinberg, What’s Shaking Man 64
Chapter 2: Caregivers and Family Members 69
Terri Pease, Author and Caregiver Advocate 70
Chapter 3: Physicians, Scientists, and Researchers 74
Chloe Campbell, Beats Medical 75
Adria Thompson, Speech Pathologist, Be Light Care 80
Dr. José Cabassa, The Moving Brains Foundation 84
Josefa Domingos, Physiotherapy and Parkinson Europe 89
Brianna Hood, Rune Labs (StrivePD) 98
Carolyn Eddy, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Time 2 Move Wellness 105
Meredith DeFranco, PT, DPT, Parkinsonlife (pdLIFE) 111
Chapter 4: Advocates 116
Heather Berg on Yoga Nidra, Florida Atlantic University College
of Medicine 117
Robert Eckelman on Honoring his Mother 124
Margot Escott, Improv Comedy for Parkinson’s 128
Lisa Eden, Project Parkinson’s 133
Michele Cooper, M.L.C.L.—Michele’s Low Carb Lifestyle 137
Miriam Nunez on Personal Training for PD 140
Stephen Williams on Advocacy, TikTok, and T-Shirts:
ParkNsons Tshirts 144
Wendy Walton on TikTok PD Advocacy 150
Chapter 5: United States Organizations for Parkinson’s 153
David Abramson, Live Harder 154
Stacey Macaluso, Mission PD 159
Joseph Golomboski. Team Golomboski 163
Michelle Lane, Louisiana Walks for Parkinson’s and Ambassador
for the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s 170
Cecilia Pulido, Pilates 4 Parkinson’s 179
Cassi Locke, Parkinson’s Group of the Ozarks 188
Parkinson Association of Alabama 194
Carol Rosenstein, Music Mends Minds 198
Gregg Hummer, The Parkinson’s Support Group of
Orange Park, Florida 204
Michael Quaglia, The Young Onset Parkinson’s Network,
Massachusetts 208
Rabbi Moshe Gruskin, LifeSpark PD, New Jersey 211
Samantha Elandary, Founder and Chief Executive Officer,
Parkinson Voice Project 215
Rose and Chris Babcock, Pints 4 PD, Orlando, Florida, and the
Michael J. Fox Foundation 222
Donna Rajkovic, Team Fox Detroit 226
Kat Hill, Ambassador, Davis Phinney Foundation, Portland, Oregon 235
Pamela Lappen, Founder, Dancing with Parkinson’s,
Las Vega, Nevada 238
Chapter 6: United States Organizations for Related Illnesses 246
Lance A. Slatton, Dementiatlc, on Dementia Awareness 247
Chapter 7: International Organizations for Parkinson’s 250
Helen Matthews, Deputy CEO, Cure Parkinson’s, United Kingdom 251
Janine Parkinson, Parkinson’s Canada 256
Ana Liste Vilariño on Advocacy, Spain 261
Gary Boyle, Parkinson’s Europe 265
Thomas McCallum, Radio Parkies and Shaky Radio, Scotland
and United Kingdom 270
Andy Butler on Awareness, United Kingdom 274
Jean-Louis Dufloux, France Parkinson’s 277
Roger Ahlinder on Advocacy, Sweden 280
Blake Mackey on Advocacy for Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease
and Dystonia, Canada 282
Paqui Ruiz, Con p de Párkinson, Spain 286
Nina Juncker, PD Avengers, Germany 290
Francesca De Bartolomeis, Fuerte es la Vida Parkinson
No Limits, Italy 294
Chapter 8: Conclusion 298
Chapter 9: About the Author 300
Acknowledgment 302