Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative nervous system disorder, is common among older adults. Symptoms can include impaired shaking (tremors), walking, movement, and coordination. As with any disease, children are impacted by family members who have it. Having been an educator of students from ages three through eighteen for many years, I know that a quick way for them to believe incorrect information about important topics is to have adults not give them accurate age-appropriate answers to questions they may or may not ask. John Provo, a grandfather with Parkinson’s disease, is a man who addresses this concern.
He meets children’s informational needs about Parkinson’s disease by finding out what they want to know, helping them understand and cope with the disease, and by giving them concrete ways to help someone who has it. He invited children from all over the world to write to him about their experiences with parents and grandparents with the disease. He has created several videos specifically with children in mind. These are questions children often have about Parkinson’s disease:
What is Parkinson’s disease?
What causes it?
Is there a cure?
Is Parkinson’s disease hereditary or contagious?
What changes will occur with someone who has the disease?
Can someone die from Parkinson’s disease?
In this videoThrough the Eyes of a Child -Part 5.wmv, John Provo’s granddaughters speak about their Parkinson’s disease experience with him.
"Life is not always easy for you, or the people you love. Be brave, be kind, be understanding".
- John E. Provo
Frances Shani Parker, Author
Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homesis available in paperback at many booksellers and in e-book form at Amazon and Barnes and Noble booksellers.
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