Parkinson’s Disease & the Law:
Rights, Policies and Protections.
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Paperback and Kindle (eBook) Coming soon – 2026
Dedication
This book is dedicated to all those throughout the Parkinson’s community and caregivers to ensure no one ever feels alone in this fight toward a cure…
This book is also in memory of my mother, Sharon Riff Ackerman who lost her battle due to PD, but her memory lives on through you and all those who advocate for a cure for those battling Parkinson’s. I would not be able to advocate without the support of my family. My wife Grether, and children: Brooke, Joshua & Eli… My love, life and reason I endure.
-Sharon’s Son, George
I want to dedicate this book, in memory of my Uncle Lucky who lost his life due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease, and to my friend Norman who lost his battle with Lewy Body Dementia. I also want to dedicate this book to all of us currently suffering from Parkinson’s and other chronic illnesses. Special thanks to my partner Troy and our daughter Kelsey who has been there daily supporting me, taking me to doctor appointments, and staying with me throughout the long late nights when I needed to go to the emergency room. I love you and appreciate everything you have done for me!
-Dawn
I would like to thank my colleagues at the CHRO who encouraged me to participate in this project. I would especially like to thank my family and friends who have supported me along my Parkinson’s’ journey and constantly inspire me to be my best self. A special thanks to my husband Eric and sons Steven and Max – I would be lost in this world without you.
-Kimberly
About the Book….
Authors Attorney George Ackerman, Advocate Dawn Howard & Attorney Kimberly Jacobsen explore topics that are critical to the Parkinson’s community and their families including: the law, Legislation, PwP & Attorney, Title VIII, Medicare, Medicaid, Discrimination Laws, American with disabilities, Wills, Power of Attorney & Death with Dignity.
Our hope is to provide valuable information that will guide individuals through various experiences and situations in the workplace and overall living and resources to ensure individuals can make well informed decisions.
Biographies
Dawn Howard, earned a B.S. Cum Laude in Business Administration from Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri. Dawn was diagnosed with YOPD Parkinson’s in 2011 the year she graduated from college. Dawn was in the process of establishing a 501c3 nonprofit charity to provide financial help for people with Parkinson’s to pay their medical expenses.
Attorney Kimberly Jacobsen earned a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Delaware and a J.D. from Western New England University, School of Law. Kimberly has worked for the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights (CHRO), the state’s civil rights agency, for most of her career. She has worked as a housing investigator, as a litigation attorney and is currently a Managing Director and Commission Attorney. In recent years, Kimberly has been speaking publicly about living well with Parkinson’s Disease in many different forums. Kimberly has created a series of video blogs to document her experience being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease during the pandemic.
Dr. George M. Ackerman (Sharon’s son) received his Ph.D. from the School of Public Service Leadership, Capella University; J.D. from the Shepard Broad Law Center, Nova Southeastern University; and police certification from Miami-Dade College School of Justice. His current focus is on advocating for a cure for Parkinson’s disease through a wide range of avenues and outreach activities. Dr. Ackerman founded https://www.togetherforsharon.com/ in memory of his mother, Sharon, to increase Parkinson’s awareness and research toward a cure. His dedicated interest in and passion for this work to ensure others never feel alone.
Endorsements:
Coming soon…
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: The Law
Chapter 3: An Attorney as Advocate
Chapter 4: Parkinson’s Disease
Chapter 5: Civil versus Criminal Law
Chapter 6: Toxic Tort Litigation
Chapter 7: Legislation
Chapter 8: The Legal Field
Chapter 9: Legal training in PD
Chapter 10: PwP & the Attorney
Chapter 11: Fourteenth Amendment & Equal Protection
Chapter 12: Workplace Discrimination
Chapter 13: Title Housing Discrimination
Chapter 14: Personal Relationships
Chapter 15: Social Security
Chapter 16: Healthcare
Chapter 17: Affordable Healthcare ACA
Chapter 18: Medicaid
Chapter 19: Medicare
Chapter 20: Employment Discrimination
Chapter 21: Navigating Public Spaces with Parkinson’s Disease
Chapter 22: Wills & the Power of Attorney
Chapter 23: End of Life: Death with Dignity
Chapter 24: Conclusion