Sharon’s son, George
1/1/2020……. I lost my mother, Sharon, due to Parkinson’s disease. I wanted to share my thoughts and ideas on tough topics in caregiving and send thoughts and prayers for others diagnosed and caregivers, so this BLOG was created in their memories.
The Tackling Tough Topics BLOG 12C: The TikTok Ban & PD Awareness is not Political!
1/19/2025
This blog is dedicated to all those caretakers who care for a loved one with any disease and to those who have been diagnosed. We hear you; we see you, and we will never stop fighting until there is a cure!
Sharon’s son, George:
A few years ago, I did not even know what TikTok was, let alone pay much attention to it. Then, I became a caregiver to my mother, Sharon, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The last year of her life was something unimaginable as it progressed, and it took my best friend from our family on 1/1/2020.
I felt alone, crushed, depressed, and just needed support. So, I decided to sign up because although there are other social media sites… I was surprised at the technology and the ease of sharing, but I also learned from many people going through similar things and felt I was not alone.
Today, some of my best friends worldwide advocate for a cure, some have been diagnosed, and other caregivers’ relationships have developed and formed because of TikTok.
Then, when I think of others who turned to social media as a method of support well, it breaks my heart to know they no longer can find that since it had been banned. One incredible woman with Pd couldn’t afford her bills for medications, so she held live TikTok videos to help fund her medicines.
As an attorney, I understand specific laws. I disagree with this decision. Banning social media can lead to banning each and every single other one next….. nothing can stop that.
We used to live in a time when if you did not like something or did not want to watch something, you could choose not to download an app, but a total ban for all, no. If foreign country fears are the reason for the ban, I have nothing to hide, and my information is geared 24/7 toward PD awareness and hope for a cure—bottom line.
We do not have enough awareness for PD, and this form of social media has helped millions join in on that cause. I was starting to build a following with 3,000 followers, and I did not do this for that, but the message reached the world. Others have used it for years and had thousands of followers, but it was stripped away.
So, we continue, but now I fear that if you build something, pour your heart and soul into it, and your only goal is to help others, it can all vanish like that again… flip of a coin. Although fear will not stop with a social media ban it is not the American way,
The only hope is the new administration, through President Donald Trump, may change this outcome. Still, the damage has already been done, and this dent in advocacy occurs when we need more support, more reach, and more people working together toward a cure, not apart.
So many individuals who make a difference may never return to what it was or could be, and the future is uncertain on other social media platforms. I will never stop advocating, but if we are limited, it does not do justice to the urgency of this movement.
Keep fighting and advocating; together, our voices are so much stronger. No matter what obstacles come our way.
PD Awareness Cannot and Is Not Political!
Finding a Parkinson’s cure is not and cannot never be political. It is about teaching the world the urgency of this movement. Whether former President Biden, Clinton, Obama, or President Trump… or any elected representative nationwide, I would be honored to have them join this fight for a cure! We need every voice, which will never change until a cure exists. This disease does not care about politics….. nor do I when it comes to saving so many I love today in memory of my mother, Sharon.
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George’s Biography
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.