Monday, October 20, 2014

Shaky Paws Grampa website completed

My hope is that my fellow PWP's as well as their care partners, families, and friends will find the Parkinson's resources on this site (www.shakypawsgrampa.com) to be helpful and useful.  In addition to my own humble contributions, this site will link readers to the work of many individuals and organizations.  All of this is meant to provide readers an opportunity to obtain information that will improve their quality of life (PWPs, care partners) or provide support for people they care about (families, friends).
Examples of how this site may provide value:
  1. Links to comprehensive information regarding PD on Parkinson's Disease Foundation (PDF), National Parkinson Foundation (NPF), and Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) websites, recommended blogs and reading list. Also, my blog articles on living with PD, specific issues (fatigue, stress, deep brain stimulation, driving, and more), and upcoming Parkinson's educational seminars and events. 
  2. I have been told that my top 10 lists for PWP's and care partners (first item of the resources page) are helpful especially for those recently diagnosed as well as others at all stages of progression.
  3. PD support groups are always looking for guest speakers that will be able to talk about topics important to their members.  This can become difficult for a variety of reasons.  Some of these groups in the Denver area have used specific articles from my blog as topics for discussion using their own facilitator (such as the top 10 lists, driving, cognition issues, and more).
  4. The potential for cognition issues and dementia are of intense interest to anyone associated with Parkinson's.  I have included links on my resource page to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA) and dementia blogs and included Caregivers Guide to Lewy Body Dementia on my recommended reading list.  Also, I have written a book (Window of Opportunity: Living with the reality of Parkinson's and the threat of dementia) that shares the story of my own journey with PD-related cognition issues and related information that is included on the PDF, NPF, MJFF, and LBDA recommended reading lists.
  5. I have written two books designed to provide an opportunity for adults to introduce the topic of Parkinson's with childrenCarson And His Shaky Paws Grampa is a "gentle introduction" to PD in the context of my relationship with my (then) 7 year old grandson and how I chose to communicate with him.  Carina And Her Care Partner Gramma is designed to provide more "in-depth" opportunities to talk about PD, the very important role played by care partners, and other issues related to PD.

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my friend, Rich Carnahan, for volunteering to help me create this website.  Without his technical expertise and hours of work, it never would have happened.  Thanks Rich!!

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