In this episode of the Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts interviews Dr. George Ackerman about his advocacy work following the death of his mother, Sharon, from Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Ackerman discusses the creation of TogetherForSharon.com, a platform aimed at raising awareness and providing support for those affected by Parkinson’s. They cover Dr. Ackerman’s background in criminal justice, his transition to Education, and his experiences as a caregiver for his mother. The conversation also addresses the recent passage of the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Disease, the challenges of Caregiving, and Dr. Ackerman’s continued efforts, including his upcoming books and initiatives. They emphasize the importance of community, education, and continued advocacy in the fight against Parkinson’s Disease.

George’s Bio and Contact Information

Dr. George Ackerman (Sharon’s son) is from Brooklyn, N.Y. Now residing in Florida, he 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 and did not know how to bring change. He ,with his family started TogetherForSharon® for the purpose of keeping my mother, Sharon Riff Ackerman’s, memory alive and to share the message of Parkinson’s Awareness and hope for a cure.

Today https://www.togetherforsharon.com/ reaches thousands of individuals across the country for PD Awareness. George currently interviews individuals throughout the Parkinson’s community including various foundations, caregivers, and Parkinson’s warriors to help share their stories and causes.

George is on a mission, to find a a PD Cure….

He is the author of , A Son’s Journey from Parkinson’s Disease Caregiver to Advocate. https://a.co/d/gqUwKJX

Also available in kindle/eBook and Hardcover at https://www.togetherforsharon.com/my-book/

Social media Links…

All Socials can be found and linked here https://linktr.ee/togetherforsharon

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIeBLOelhaLQNvgeNMzu-5g

The Parkinson’s Connection YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@TheParkinsonsConnectionYouTube/playlists

Podcast Link https://www.togetherforsharon.com/podcast-interviews/

Interview link https://www.togetherforsharon.com/interview-index/

The Teaching Journeys Podcast is available on your favorite podcast platforms.

To find out more about Dave , go to davidrobertsmsw.com and his author page psychologyprofessorandminister.com

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Dave Roberts LMSW, Author, Podcaster

David J. Roberts, LMSW, became a parent who experienced the death of a child, when his daughter Jeannine died of cancer on 3/1/03 at the age of 18. He is a retired addiction professional and an adjunct professor in the psychology child life department at Utica University in Utica, New York. Dave also teaches psychology classes at Pratt MWP School of Art and Design. He is the host of The Teaching Journeys Podcast, which can be found on Apple, Spotify and other podcast platforms.

Dave has presented workshops at national conferences of The Compassionate Friends as well as for the Bereaved Parents of the USA. He was also a keynote speaker at the 2011 and 2015 national gatherings of the Bereaved Parents of the USA. Dave also co-presented a workshop titled “Helping Faculty After Traumatic Loss” for the Parkland, Florida community in May of 2018, in the aftermath of the mass shootings at Stoneman Douglas High School.

Roberts has been a past HuffPost contributor and has contributed articles to Medium, Open to Hope Foundation, Mindfulness and Grief, Thrive Global, and the Recovering the Self Journal. He has also appeared on numerous podcasts, as well as Open to Hope Television. In 2021,he co-authored and published a book with Reverend Patty Furino titled, When The Psychology Professor Met The Minister.