Meet Dr George Ackerman | Attorney, Educator & Police Ofc. Rsv.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr George Ackerman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr George, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am originally from Brooklyn, New York. Today, I reside in Florida.

I do not believe I would be the man I am today or have had success if not for my mother, Sharon. Today, my journey brings me to the world of advocacy in memory of my mother, who struggled with Parkinson’s Disease.

She had Parkinson’s disease for 15 years, but it never started to affect primary life abilities significantly until around 2014. She could still function and spend her favorite day of the week, Sundays with us in the backyard, blowing bubbles with her grandkids, eating the best meals we could find for that day while arguing with everyone about where to eat or what to eat. Those funny arguments I miss.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have learned that dedication, hard work, and perseverance is the key to achieving in life, and you can reach your dreams if you never give up! Many days are not easy and challenging, but you must push through and achieve your desired end goal.

I am a college professor in criminal justice, business, and law. I received my Ph.D. from the School of Public Service Leadership, Capella University; my J.D. from the Shepard Broad Law Center, Nova Southeastern University; and police certification from Miami-Dade College School of Justice. I currently focus everything I can on advocating for a cure for Parkinson’s disease through a wide range of avenues and outreach activities.

I have participated in numerous charity events, addressed community, governmental, and international groups, interviewed people living with Parkinson’s, researched and advocated, given interviews, written about my experiences, and participated in and conducted seminars, with plans for continued and additional activities. I also lead support groups on caregiving and loss.

I founded https://www.togetherforsharon.com in memory of my mother, Sharon, to increase Parkinson’s awareness and research toward a cure.

My other interests include running charity 5Ks, basketball, and family time with his wife and three wonderful children.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

I enjoy traveling to the Caribbean with my family. My favorite sport is basketball. Whether playing or watching, the National Basketball Association takes me away from life for a short time daily. I was a personal trainer in the past. Fitness and health mean a lot to me and is so essential for our mental health.

As a caregiver, the one piece of advice I have, which I could not follow because I wanted to be there 24/7 for my mother, is always to take care of your health first, and it will help you be a better caregiver for your loved one.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mother passed due to Parkinson’s Disease on 1/1/2020, which was also the start of www.togetherforsharon.com

My focus in life today is Parkinson’s disease awareness and hope for a cure in my mother, Sharon’s memory. My number one focus today is togetherforsharon.com

My mother lived with Parkinson’s for decades, but it started to affect her daily activities in 2014. Until then, she was able to spend her favorite day of the week, Sunday, with us in the backyard, blowing bubbles with her grandkids and eating the best meals we could find, but only after a lively debate over where and what she wanted to eat. I miss those funny arguments. I also create videos on awareness to share for awareness.

I want to shout out to the entire Parkinson’s community worldwide. We love you; we support you, and I will never stop advocating for a Parkinson’s Disease cure until it is at all of our doorsteps.

Website: https://www.togetherforsharon.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/togetherforsharon/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-ackerman-ph-d-esq-mba-00871a82/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/togetherforsha1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/togetherforsharon112020

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

Other: Author, A Son’s Journey from Parkinson’s Disease Caregiver to Advocate. To order your copy click https://a.co/d/gqUwKJX

Author, Voices of Resilience: Conversations with Parkinson’s Disease Warriors, Caregivers and Advocates. Book 1. To order your copy click https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DG27S342

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