Introducing 'I Love You, Grandma Sharon': A Child's View on Parkinson's with George Ackerman - Episode 186

In this heartfelt episode of the Caregiver Relief Podcast, Diane Carbo welcomes back Dr. George Ackerman to discuss a beautiful new tool for families: his children’s book, I Love You, Grandma Sharon. 📚

After losing his mother, Sharon Riff Ackerman, to a 15-year battle with Parkinson’s in 2020, George turned his grief into a global movement through Together for Sharon. This episode explores how we can bridge the gap between complex medical diagnoses and a child’s understanding, ensuring that no family member is left behind in the journey of caregiving.

🎧 Episode Highlights

• The Power of Advocacy: Dr. Ackerman shares how he transitioned from law enforcement and legal work to a full-time caregiver and advocate.
• The National Plan: A look at the "National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act" and George’s upcoming trip to Washington D.C. to demand more research funding.
• A Symbol of Unity: The story behind the Purple Awareness Bracelets that went viral, connecting Parkinson's families globally.
• A Child’s Perspective: Why explaining Parkinson’s to children is often overlooked and how George’s new book uses a "Pixar-style" journey to make the topic approachable.
• Aging with Grace: Discussion on how the book depicts the natural progression of aging and the disease, helping children accept changes without fear.

📋 Podcast Outline

I. The Journey from Son to Advocate

• The 15-to-18-year battle Sharon faced with Parkinson's and dementia.
• The birth of Together for Sharon as a legacy project.
• The emotional toll of caregiving: "The only time she wasn’t scared or worried is when I was holding her hand."

II. Standing Up in Washington D.C.

• The significance of the first-ever national plan to end Parkinson's.
• The fight to ban toxic chemicals like Paraquat in the US.
• George’s mission to ensure the halls of the Capitol "never forget my mother."

III. 'I Love You, Grandma Sharon'

• Inspired by the relationship between George’s mother and his daughter, Brooke.
• Teaching kids that Parkinson's is not "contagious" and is nothing to be scared of.
• A tool for families to discuss difficult moments, like tremors or hallucinations, with empathy and honesty.

IV. How You Can Support the Cause

• The "100% Donation" model: Buying books directly from Together for Sharon supports research foundations like Michael J. Fox.
• Free E-books for those in need of caregiver resources.
• Upcoming events: The Parkinson's Unity Walk in NYC and the World Parkinson Congress in Arizona.

💡 Key Takeaway

"Although I lost my best friend and mother six years ago, I'm just getting started." — Dr. George Ackerman

🔗 Resources Mentioned

• Together for Sharon: togetherforsharon.com

Don't miss this inspiring conversation! Whether you are a caregiver, a parent, or someone touched by Parkinson's, George’s story is a testament to the power of turning loss into a light for others. 🌟✨

Podcast Episode Transcript

Diane: Welcome to the Caregiver Relief Podcast, dedicated to supporting family caregivers and those navigating chronic illnesses. I'm your host Diane Carbo, a registered nurse with years of experience in caregiving today. I'm thrilled to welcome once again. Dr.

George Ackerman, a PhD, jd, and an MBA holder who turned personal loss into powerful advocacy. After his mother, Sharon rif Ackerman passed from Parkinson's disease in 2020. Following a 15 year battle, Dr. Ackerman founded together for Sharon as a legacy project. This family driven initiative keeps Sharon's memory alive by raising awareness.

Sharing resources, conducting interviews with caregivers and experts, and advocating for a cure through education. Purple awareness bracelets and community connections. Dr. Ackerman has authored several books drawing from his experiences, including his memoir, A Son's Journey from Parkinson's Disease Care.

Caregiver to advocate, which honored his mother's fight and educates on caregiving. And now, and that's why we're doing this to announce he has his recent work is a children's book. I Love you, grandma Sharon, their journey from a child's perspective, Brooke and Grandma's days with Parkinson's, which beautifully introduces the topic to young audiences.

This episode is sponsored by my vital vault.net.

Your all-in-one life organizer For aging adults and caregivers, it's designed to help you securely store your essential legal, medical, and emergency information in one easy to access place. Because when a crisis hits, being prepared can make all the difference. Join our caregiver relief community, a warm, welcoming space where you can connect with other caregivers, ask questions, share stories, and find support from people who truly understand. Visit community dot caregiver relief.com to join now. Because caregiving is one of the hardest and most meaningful things you'll ever do, and no one should have to do it alone. And if this episode speaks to you, please take a moment to like, share or comment. Every click helps us reach more caregivers who need encouragement, resources, and hope.

Diane: George, thank you so much for joining us today. I'm so excited you were able to share and as soon as I heard you were doing a children's book I just was glad that I was able to get, you could fit me into your schedule to announce the new book.

George: Thank you Diane. Thanks to your viewers.

You're all family to me. you were there in the beginning when I was just starting out advocating. Yes. And then today I remember too when I put it out that you were the first. So there's no way I wouldn't be honored to be, spend time with you together. And really this is,Not a wrap up forever, but the end of the writing for me, in the field of awareness, I had certain topics I felt were lacking in my six years so far, being an advocate, and to be honest, the hardest one was the children's book, but one of the most important from.

The son journey was my most important by my mother, but this one really I feel will live on forever because so many families still are battling Parkinson's, but struggling to explain to the little children what is happening to their loved one.

Diane: Oh, absolutely. George, very few diseases. The kids just gets pushed aside and it's not intentional, but it happens and nobody really explains to them and I was excited to see the book.

but before we get into the children's book, I'd like for people to understand, what led you to start together for Sharon after your mom's passing and how it has evolved since 2020?

George: Yeah, unfortunately my mother really passed abruptly despite all the medical doctors saying she wouldn't. So that was another show for another time.

But she struggled. Actually, we found out, ironically, when you mentioned eight, 15 years, I just recently found out it might have been 18 years. she and she had symptoms for a long time. She, we don't know if she hid them 'cause she didn't want us to know or be worried, or she relied on the doctors who again, I don't blame the doctors, I blame the disease, but they really did say she won't pass due to it.

When she did pass out of literary nowhere in the last five years of our life and hers together was the toughest. That's what I shifted my world of law enforcement, being a lawyer and a professor, a police officer to full caregiver. Because I didn't know how much time I would have with her and I wanted to be there to support her.

The only time she actually wasn't scared or worried is when I was, holding her hand, and that meant the world to me. I don't think I'd be the man I am today if it wasn't for the sacrifices she made throughout her life. And after she passed, I was, I'm still today, six years later, heartbroken, I'm still grieving.

I don't believe when the people, there are people who always say, oh, you'll be, a few years you'll move. I'm, no, sorry, I'm not, I'm still, struggling and really that's why I advocate. I can't bring my mother back. But we can still fight for those battling today and their families. And unfortunately.

The children because if we don't figure this out very soon, our children are gonna become adults. And now we have young onset Parkinson's, which is popping up even more throughout the world. And that's younger people from the twenties, age gaining this disease. So that was where together for sharon.com was born.

I thought we'd have a few people see it and I would've been happy. But some reason it's been about 70,000 people visit from around the world. Some days that's great because it's reaching people. But then other days, once again, it's heartbreaking. 'cause that means more people are being diagnosed, more communities are being affected, and we still have a lot of work to be done.

Diane: yes. And you were just telling me before we started that, you're going to DC.

George: This is an interesting time in the country in our literal history. I don't know why it took so long, but finally, last December, former President Biden, before he left office, helped do something very important. he signed into law the first ever national plan to end Parkinson's Disease.

It's the first legislature in US History. I don't know how, but it is, and it's actually to help raise awareness, help fund research towards a cure. Unfortunately, since the new administration, again, I'm not here for politics. I think we need every side. I don't care who we need everyone. But since the new, administration came, there's been a stop. So for a year now, we've had nothing, no movement. There's been lack of funding for research. So we're, we had, I had the honor by myself last year to be non, selected by the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which is truly an honor. To go to Washington on behalf of the State of Florida and advocate to our local and federal representatives.

time has now passed since last year. Now we're two years and still hasn't been a lot of movement, so we're heading right back again, but this time we're fully forced and armed with my wife. She's gonna join me Grether, so we're gonna have a whole family affair in the Capitol, which is not easy. I have my own health issues.

I have a lot of work and sacrificing a ton, so it's not easy. But I do feel in my heart I have to be there to make sure the halls of the Capitol know and never forget my mother.

Diane: One thing I've learned about dealing with Washington DC and I did for my son, is, when, as soon as the administrations change, everything changes.

And we can never depend on the government for anything because what they give can be taken away. And I know that frustration, I love that you have this passion. and to want to advocate for others. And I hope that, DC listens to you and, there are changes made because something has to happen.

we have so many, we have what, like the baby boomers are coming and they're here and, we already have so many issues with Medicare. there's gotta be some more research done to help. These diseases are hopefully eradicate them before your, like your grandchildren won't have to, worry about that.

Now, you, created purple wristbands with Sharon's name and they're a symbol of unity. How did that idea come about and what feedback have you received from people wearing them?

George: Yeah, actually, I'm kind of person, I don't know why, but I wanted to, give anyone who attended my mother's funeral something I didn't know what.

I didn't plan for it. We didn't even know that was gonna happen, so we thought and I've seen things like bands, but never for Parkinson's. So my wife and I said, my mother's favorite color was purple. Why not create a little bracelet? Hand them out just to the people at the, funeral to remember her.

Diane: on the inside it says a memory of Sharon Riff Ackerman. On the outside it says, together for sharon.com and Parkinson's disease awareness. I don't know what happened, but after the funeral ended, that was it. I thought, close the page. Unfortunately, I'm still heartbroken. but that's it.

George: I can't do anything more. I don't know why, but my. Now he's my brother-in-law. He decided to take a picture. He put the band on. He took a picture and he wasn't in the picture, so it was just his hand, Uhhuh, and he took a picture and I'm like, oh, this is interesting. And I don't know why, but it just sparked in my mind.

Why don't I do the same thing? 'cause my mother will now be with me still, even though she has a memory, but not physical. So yeah, I would go to the basketball court, at the gym, the Disney World, anywhere in Florida like you and I would wear the band. I'd take a picture of my hand so you'd see all different sceneries flowers, any trees, and I don't know what happened from then.

It started going viral on the internet and people throughout the country and even the world were taking pictures with their hand in the band with so many different backgrounds. It became like a movement, even reached some celebrities, which I still don't know how. Unfortunately, after a while we had to stop because they couldn't afford it anymore because we paid.

So we still, we sell them on the website and we do hand them out free at different events on my live. It was just a moment that you know will never be forgotten and just shows the power of the voice of so many people, even if it's not something affecting that person, it's still we. When we come together, our voices are so much stronger.

Diane: Now, in your memoir, you praise your mother, Sharon as your best friend. How did her 15-year-old struggle with Parkinson's and dementia shape your approach to caregiving?

George: we didn't, I didn't plan on to take a course like I could for being a lawyer or a cop. Yes,

Diane: I know.

George: But, and I guess that's thrown into it. even I wrote that book really for one reason, a number, two reasons. I didn't want her to be forgotten. And also part of the tough times, whether it was the caregiving, the darker times, I kept a journal. And in that book I put the actual journal and it said, you cannot get closer. To what it was like from me or any a caregiver with a mother who's battling a Parkinson's.

It literally had time date stamp. So now we're actually, if you email me a together phar@gmail.com, I'll send you the free copy on ebook. I can't do the hard copy 'cause we have to pay shipping, but now we're giving it literally for free. Because again, it's none of this stuff I've ever done. We've donated over 60 to $50,000 to different organizations in the community like Michael J.

Fox, A PDA, which is American Parkinson's Disease Association and Parkinson's Foundation, because we don't want other people to feel alone. So the book, really started off in my mother's life. It brings me into it as her son shows our journey, how we ended up from New York, Brooklyn, to Florida, and then my caregiving and then advocacy today.

So that was really my, for me, my proudest book. But of course, the children one is a little bit of fun.

Diane: Yeah, we're gonna talk about that now. This is your newest release. I love you, grandma Sharon. Which, what inspired you to write a children's book about Parkinson's from a child's perspective?

George: there was still a missing part of my heart, but I always dreamt of talking about, but didn't know how to do it.

And I can't believe how hard children's books are because you have to make sure you're, not just respectful, but understanding and just putting together the story. And it's also just for my family. So it's not something made up. It's actually our, photos of our family and then trying to figure out whether I want an illustrator, which is nice or.

I like the look that we use better, the Pixar, which is like a Disney type look. Because I love, yes. I like, I feel like I

Diane: love it.

George: Somebody actually reached out and wanted to make it a film, but I'm not really sure they were telling they were real. So I declined. I actually happened last night. I declined because I, unless it's Disney calling, I don't know if I'll, agree, but I really liked that they, what they did is very complex and complicated.

I never even knew this was possible, but what I really wanted to show, and the reason I did this book is I have three children. And I still have difficulty today explaining to them what happened to their grandmother and why she's not with us. My mother's biggest fight when she was, progressing towards the end was she always wanted to be there for her granddaughter, Brooke.

They were also best friends and that's the one thing that kind of stabs me in the heart still, that she wasn't able to. but now we have three, little individuals who. I love their grandmother and I didn't want them to forget her. So my idea was to have a little bit of a tool where I can sit down with my three kids, eat separately, or together the whole family and talk about the good times, but also explain what happened when her grand, when their grandmother started getting a little sick.

And it also is important 'cause I don't talk, I talk about how it's not something that is, something could be caught. It's not something to be scared of. Most people don't know how to even explain Parkinson's, so why not give a little bit of an explanation so the children who are, beginning learners could have some understanding.

It's all photos. It's the other thing I was gonna mention, which is so important. It is not that it only ends on a positive note, so it's not a, deep, dark, book. It's actually, but it also shows the progression of age, which I think is the most beautiful. So if you notice, if anyone has it or you pick it up, it starts out when my daughter, Brooke is born and my mother Sharon is, battling Parkinson, but it didn't really progress yet, and it goes through about eight years.

And again, your viewers can't see, but you'll see this is Brooke of the baby. And that's when we told my mother, and maybe we can share a little bit. We, told my mother, we're having a little girl. My mother was in heaven 'cause she had two boys and she never had a girl and she always wanted to get dolls and dress them up.

but it,

Diane: yes, I had two sons as well, so I understand that.

George: But as you go through the story and the journey, you'll see my mother, aging and then Brooke Aging. And it's really fascinating just to see the, not the progression of Parkinson's specifically, but the progression of how everyone add, elderly Yes.

To the young age, to youth, to teen. And it just shows and some of the most important things as we even, again, I know you can't, one more. The, it shows the scientists and us explaining to Brooke and our children that we are trying to do things in the lab. making it in an easy way so that children of all ages can really understand.

Diane: yes. I'm 73 years old and I can still remember my great-grandfather Bachman, getting last rights. That's what they used to call it then seven times, and, my, they would get out the tea set. and, I learned about death and dying very young in my life. And I've seen, I had great aunts.

I, I've seen the progression of, people from youth to death. And,our culture right now is because we live so far away from other, each other, many of us, we don't have that extended family. And there's this big disconnect from, from and then we have a culture that, you can't grow old.

It's inevitable, people are fighting it every single way. I love the fact that you took that, and included the aging with it because it's it's just very, personal, but it's also, heartwarming to me, that you're acknowledging, kids see, and even with death and dying, kids see on tv, they see somebody just go to sleep and they never wake up, before they may say a line or two before they go.

and death and dying is, like your mom started her decline. 15 years before she passed, or how long? And it's just a slow decline and deterioration. So I really like the way you embraced the aging part of it, because I think that helps children accept things easier and not to I, not to be afraid of the changes in the body as you grow old.

George: I appreciate that. And again, it was, unfortunately, there were days where I told my wife, I don't know if I can finish it or get it out, because it was it's really amazing how complex a children's book, I never dreamt like much more than any of the other books because of the pictures. You have to tell the story.

You have to make sure you don't forget some of the most important memories, like I had one where. One of my favorite or my favorite moments and my family is when my mother was bawling bubbles in the backyard with the kids and coloring. And that was one thing that they did every Sunday together. And today I walked by, the backyard and it's empty.

So it's in the same way it's beautiful moment and inspiring in reality, it's still tough. And that's what I love about children books and even just, books in general. It lets us escape for a moment, our own lives. Be taken away like a movie, books are still to me, amazing.

I know these days everything's on online or eBooks, but you really, it's really fascinating how you can leave the world for a moment and just be captured away by story.

Diane: I'm impressed with the colors and kids should love this book. it's eye appealing for one thing. And the story is just heartwarming and it really focuses, it does show a child's perspective and I think that's,

it's hard for us to find our inner child in us To write something like this so I can understand why it would be challenging. your mom's looking down on us right now. what is grandma sharing, saying about, what's going on with you, with the organization and this new book?

George: She probably would be worried about my health also that, that I don't sleep. She also, I guarantee would say, George, don't do anymore advocacy. Just be with your family. 'cause family means everything. But

Diane: yes,

George: unfortunately, she left and it wasn't her fault. But I feel like, odd, selfish way that, these days are people live, 85, 90.

She only would've still been in her seventies, so till she would've been, in my mind like 90, I'm not gonna rest. And even then I won't. But I just think she raised me to not give up to keep them. Yes. Instill the values she taught me and whether. Honesty, care for others and service. I've been a, I was in law enforcement in 2006.

it's called Reserve. I go through the full police academy. Became an officer, put a gun and everything on, and I've never been paid a penny. I've an actual volunteer and many people, she hated me doing that. But I do that not for myself, but just to help others. whether it's in Vic, whether it's victims of crime and law enforcement, or people in the Parkinson's community.

I don't really, I don't want anything. It's like when we met, years ago, it's odd 'cause, not that everyone wants something, but, usually you give something, you get something in return in life that's usually 'cause you want, you need to move up or something. But I literally would, return a dollar or I just don't want it.

I just want awareness. And even for this book, my biggest fear is that just won't reach the world, which I wish it would. a lot of. Books I've done all of them self-publish because big organizations or those big publishers don't even listen to me or wanna talk to me. And I liked it in a way.

'cause I feel like they would probably, who knows what the, what direction they would go. Yes. I do dream one day of someone out there listening, maybe celebrity or someone seeing it. And adopting it and using it because I just,I often joke with my wife, we don't play the lottery, but I always said if I won the lottery, I would literally build a building and just share.

I would just show these, give these books like this one around the world for free, and that would be all I would do damn night. Yeah. but unfortunately it just me and just today I learned how, this book is now sold around the world. I posted today on social media. You can click a link on Amazon.

It's incredible. But you can just order somebody ordered one today at the uk. So it's definitely, around the world. The big thing is, yeah.

Diane: Yes.

George: If you do order it, I recommend to go directly though to together for Sharon and click book store. What happens is we donate a hundred percent, except for obviously the shipping and the printing. But at least I believe 10 or more dollars for every book. We can donate anyone. If you direct to Michael J. Fox, we'll give receipts. If you buy it on Amazon, no offense, that's great, but we don't ever see it again. So that's up to that person.

Diane: I, George, it's just a lovely story. how, tell me about your d your kids, how are they, dealing with the loss of their grandmother and how are they, feeling about your book?

George: Yeah, we have three, the oldest one's, Brooke, and that's who the book is about. She did have a lot of to do with it. She's gets shy, so right now she's young and she's not you. I'm waiting. I hope someday she'll, grow up a little and then actually advocate and talk about this. 'cause we had to put in the library of, one of the children's school, which is really nice.

But, my middle one, Joshua knew my mother and loves her, but my youngest Eli, he doesn't even remember her, unfortunately, he was a baby. the book is they loved it. They were in shock. They've seen me, I was honored to be on tv. They did a news story locally, CBS, so they were in shock at the same time, seeing a book and then me on tv.

So it's really nice that, finally they are people like the media are looking, but still not enough until we can get everybody fed, nationally next month. not sure when this is airing, but April is a Parkinson's awareness month. There's a lot of extra special things coming. and so much to say we can't, we don't have the time, but my heart is really in this book and I was just, again, thinking the other day that it's been doing,well, the other books haven't, because again, it's tough, to get the word out.

This one really could go on, until there's a cure, it could really reach so many homes. And we've donated about 50 to a hundred, copies around the country. But it's getting tougher. we give it to all the organizations and things, we're spending, spending and, I wanna keep doing it, but it's at some point.

And the problem is, I don't know. I'm not good at saying no, especially when it comes to Parkinson's awareness.

Diane: George, your mother raised you right? You have a heart, you don't wanna give up. And boy do I understand that. I really do. I lost my mom when I was 18 suddenly. And, and I'm the oldest of four and it just.

Broke my heart and I still, when you talk about being heartbroken, I still 54 years later feel this sadness when I think about my mom and all that she missed of my life and my children's life. And, it was really hard And, I'm just really, and I see so many kids, dealing with parents that are ill.

And, especially like with Parkinson's, because of all the different movements and stuff, it, it frightens the kids or they're concerned or I can kids say the silliest things and they're so honest, why do you walk that way? Why do you talk that way? And people go, shh. that is really an opportunity for the adult in the room, if not the patient, that has, the Parkinson's.

But the other adults in the room to take the opportunity to teach the child that this is a condition and there it's changing the body and just have a little explanation. And you do that so very well in this book and I really appreciate that.

George: Thanks. Yeah. It's very important. 'cause you don't, I was scared when I'm not a child, seeing my mother, whether it's tremors or just,dystonia with her curls, toes curling.

Diane: Yeah.

George: I remember one specific incident that I wrote about in Sun Journey. It wasn't in the children book. It's shocking. But I was sitting on a Sunday with my mother on her bed just talking, and my daughter happened to be with us and my mother, unfortunately, due to delusions and hallucinations.

She started hugging and saying how much she loved Brooke, but she was hugging the towel or the, pillow. Yeah. And my daughter looked at me like, oddly, but not we both looked at each other giggled and a, not in a funny way, but. More of an uncomfortable, not sure what to say away, and we just looked at each other and nothing.

We didn't say anything and that was it. And actually that moment, this story, I just, you just that would probably say be the reason for this book and why it became, I never thought of that, but that's really the one moment. Then there's another moment, which is more heartbreaking. When I remember we came home from the funeral, literally that night.

I was just coming for some reason in the room and my wife. Was look her face. imagine if you're looking my, her face was at me and Right. And my daughter was hugging her crying hysterically. And that was another moment that really, again, I can't get outta my, it's ingrained in my mind.

Diane: Yes.

George: Really forever. But I do feel that this book can help people, cry, but also smile and also help, understand so much of the. the fa I think the word must be the fuzziness. where yes, we just don't have answers and medical professionals don't. But at least now we have a little bit of a tool.

And the nice thing I can tell you is I was surprised 'cause I've had endorsements and people who are really supportive, but I reached out to a few individuals, the CEO of the Kirk Gibson Foundation, the, an individual who I consider family from the Davis Finney Foundation. another organization called Power Over Parkinson's and one of the most, Pretty incredible ones. was a United States congressman who endorsed the book and wrote little quotes in the book, and you don't get a lot of political parties or congressmen or women even saying yes to anything because of, whether politics are just an not allowed or, Yeah. To have some support like that.

It is really pretty incredible.

Diane: Oh, it absolutely is. Now, how do you hope? I love you, grandma. Sharon will contribute to broader awareness and what's next for together for Sharon and supporting Parkinson's families.

George: I hope it just gets out there. The biggest thing is awareness. It seems to be the continual battle.

If you write a movie and the bad guys are winning, I feel some days that they are winning. But now if everyone joins together, the white light will shine and we'll break through and I would just, my dream would be the whole world has this book. the next for us is never stop. We don't stop. We are literally packing after this show to get ready to head back to Washington, DC the capitol.

So we'll be running around frantically all over Washington to just reach our representatives, federal, state, and, talk to them, mainly federal, but congress and Senate to, urge them to fund research, towards a cure. Also to move the National Council forward and to ban toxics like Paraquat and all the poisons that are really destroying our environment and killing our loved ones and our children too.

There's no reason to have, Paraquat is a poison. That chemical is banned in every country except the US and Australia, and I think it's time that us, joined in that mission. Yes. We'll also be heading to the, probably. New York City again for the third time. The unity walk from Michael J.

Fox. It's in Central Park in April's Parkinson's Awareness Month. And then I'm excited that in May for the first time, and unfortunately it might be my main time, but it's something beautiful called the World Parks in Congress and it meets every few years around the world. Usually out in the United States.

There hasn't been for some time, but. They're gonna be in Arizona and that's why I have to be there. That's

Diane: wonderful.

George: it's about 2000 people with Parkinson's advocates, researchers and scientists. And it's all just a convention for our community. And I joke 'cause I don't think I'll even go to any of the events.

I'll just be in the hallway 'cause I think about 3000 people I've interviewed will be there from around the world. And it's just gonna be a lot of fun pictures. And, just a memory I'll never forget.

Diane: and it's good networking because you never know if somebody that you speak to will say, Hey, we have a grant we'd like to give you.

Fingers crossed. I know it doesn't happen that way often, you never know George. tell people how they can reach you and how they can get, grandma Sharon's book.

George: Thank you again. I love to you, the whole family and all of your audience. So this show will definitely live on forever because we're gonna add it right to our page, where the book is located.

We now have a, I've been on the news and now we're on the podcast, and this one means a lot. So thank you again. I'm available 24 7. Literally. Just message me on, together for sharon.com. If you scroll down a little bit, on the main page, you'll see a little tree. It looks like a Christmas tree. It's called the A link tree.

And if you click that, you'll be able to join me on every social media. Again, it's just me. Even though we, people think we have a own TV station, we're now, we've had 400 podcasts with people around the world and actually we've had celebrities. We had, the incredible legend, Scott Hamilton, the figure skaters been on the show.

Yes, Bernie Coza, the legendary football player who's battling Parkinson's. We're gonna be having some, a huge yes tomorrow, which I don't wanna jinx, but. It just, it's taken off on its own. It's been great. I don't believe I'm gonna stop anytime soon 'cause we still have work to be done and I just want everyone to always know that you're not alone and that,although I lost my best friend and mother six years ago, I'm just getting started.

Diane: George, do you have a donate to us or a donate button on your site too? Because I want people to know that if you don't want the book or you don't want, the band, they can still give to help you with the, especially if they've had a loved one with Parkinson's, that they can give to some, to your organization.

George: We are actually a real, official of Florida nonprofit. I don't really, take donations yet. We would Okay. My dream one area I'd like to do is to help give scholarships to future neurologists who wanna study Parkinson's. But that, again, this is all just me, so I don't have any, I know, I get it. I started publishing, my criminal justice stuff, but the best way, for me at least would help us is to, purchase books because again, if, let's say a book costs $25.

Cost. Five to print, five to make, and then the rest we donate to organizations like Michael J. Fox. And that actually helps us fund to be able to go on these trips. So the books are really, plus my dream is, again, to get these books in the world, the children's one is actually doing well. It's really nice.

The others, again, love. I hope the children's book will lift the others out of the world. And again, if you email me to it together and at Gmail sort in specific books like Ascend Journey, we are sending email. literally within minutes, if I'm at the computer, we'll send a free copy. No catch.

And it just, again, for awareness.

Diane: to my listeners out there, if you have a school belong in the school system or whatever, you may wanna buy a group of books and ask them to be put in your, libraries at the schools. There's all kinds of ways we can work at, showing, awareness for Parkinson's with Grandma Sharon's book.

Thank you so much, George, for sharing. I'm so excited, that you've written this book and I get to share with the world with what you're doing. I think that it's amazing, to my family caregivers out there, you are the most important part of the caregiving equation without you at all falls apart.

So please learn to be gentle with yourself. Practice self-care every day because you are worth it.