Grief doesn’t end when caregiving does—it evolves into something else entirely. I sat down with Dr. George Ackerman, a former caregiver, police officer, and fierce Parkinson’s advocate, who turned personal heartbreak into global impact after losing his mom to the disease. George opens up about the raw truth of caregiving—especially as a son—and how he built TogetherForSharon.com as a lifeline for others navigating isolation, advocacy, and loss. His mission proves that love doesn’t stop when caregiving ends—it transforms into purpose, action, and connection that can light the way for others still in the fight.

About Dr. George Ackerman:

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. We started TogetherForSharon® as a family 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.

I am on a mission, and nothing will ever stop me until there is a PD Cure.... nothing. Join me, share and we are a family in this mission toward a cure, always! https://www.togetherforsharon.com/about-us/#mission

Author, A Son’s Journey from Parkinson’s Disease Caregiver to Advocate. To order your copy click https://www.togetherforsharon.com/my-book-a-sons-journey/

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

Author, Voices of Resilience: Conversations with Parkinson's Disease Warriors, Caregivers and Advocates. Book 1. https://www.togetherforsharon.com/my-book-voices-of-resilience/

Author, Voices of Resilience: Conversations with Parkinson's Disease Warriors, Caregivers and Advocates. Book II. https://www.togetherforsharon.com/book-voices-of-resilience-ii/

Social media links:

• All Social https://linktr.ee/togetherforsharon
• Website https://www.togetherforsharon.com/
• TogetherForSharon® Shop https://www.togetherforsharon.com/shop/
• Email togetherforsharon@gmail.com
• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-ackerman-ph-d-esq-mba-00871a82/
• TikTok