Saturday, September 14, 2013

CARINA AND HER CARE PARTNER GRAMMA: Note to Readers




The first book in the Shaky Paws Series, Carson and His Shaky Paws Grampa, was designed to be a “conversation starter” for adults to use with children for discussion regarding serious illness. There were general references to Parkinson’s (PD) symptoms and the deep-brain stimulation therapy that I had to “fix” my tremor. The nonspecific dialog was intentional so that the book might be helpful relative to a variety of different illnesses. Additional Shaky Paws books are planned.

Carina and Her Care Partner Gramma was written to address PD specifically and to provide a communication tool for People With Parkinson’s (PWP) to use with their children or grandchildren. This book provides much more detail specific to PD symptoms and mentions important issues in the “PD world,” including deep-brain stimulation therapy, the importance of exercise, and the need for patient participation in clinical research studies.

This book also emphasizes the importance of care partners. Care partners are most often women (since the majority of PWPs are men), but there are also men, family members, or friends in this difficult and demanding role. We tend to focus on the challenges faced by PWPs, which is understandable. However, PWPs owe a huge debt of gratitude to these dedicated individuals who do so much with, in many cases, far too little recognition or expression of appreciation. Further, it is important that resources be devoted not only to education of care partners but also to counseling and other support strategies to protect their wellness.

Carina, whose middle name is Marie (the same as Linda’s mother, Ruth), and my wife have had a special relationship from the start. Shortly after she was born, we both noticed how much she seemed to resemble Ruth. We also realized that Carina’s parents were with us when we visited Ruth in the hospital shortly before she died nine months before Carina was born. As she grew older, it was clear that Carina and Ruth share some common characteristics. It is comforting to think that Ruth’s spirit lives on, somehow, through Carina.

The events and communication described in this book are depicted, for the most part, the way they actually occurred. I am sure Carina has not retained all the detail described (she is only six years old), which raises the point I made in the first book. As parents and grandparents, you know your children and grandchildren best, and are best equipped to decide what to tell them in these situations. Linda and my strategies for communicating with our grandchildren continues to be adjusted based on our perception of each child’s level of maturity and readiness to have this kind of information shared with them.

I have, once again, included a page that addresses our faith, which continues to be a great source of support, hope, and comfort for us.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Carina and Her Care Partner Gramma Press Release



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Innovo Publishing LLC Releases Carina and Her Care Partner Gramma by Kirk Hall.


Summary / Description: Innovo Publishing LLC released Carina and Her Care Partner Gramma, an engaging children’s book meant to open up communication about Parkinson’s. This book is available now in the U.S. and internationally in paperback, hardback, Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble Nook, Apple iPad/iPhone, Google Android, and other smartphone/PC editions.

Memphis, TN – September 18, 2013 – Innovo Publishing LLC released a new Christian title, Carina and Her Care Partner Gramma, written by Kirk Hall and illustrated by Alison Paolini. Seeing a loved one with Parkinson’s disease can be scary and confusing for children. Carina and Her Care Partner Gramma, the second book in the Shaky Paws Grampa series, was written to address Parkinson’s disease (PD) specifically and to provide a communication tool for people with Parkinson’s to use with their children or grandchildren.

Carina and Her Care Partner Gramma provides details specific to PD symptoms and mentions important issues in the “PD world,” including deep brain stimulation therapy, PD advocacy, the importance of exercise, the need for patient participation in clinical research studies, and the importance of care partners.

Carina and Her Care Partner Gramma was conceived and written by Kirk Hall and illustrated by Alison Paolini, PD patients who also are parents and grandparents.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to support Parkinson’s research and awareness.

“A profound, yet delightfully innocent exploration of the complex facets of living with the day-to-day challenges of caring for people with Parkinson’s.”
Peter Davison, international PD speaker and father of two preschool children

“This book may be written for children, but Kirk’s loving style is incredibly appropriate for people of all ages. He sends a beautiful and very powerful message—a must read for everyone.”
Carol Walton, CEO, Parkinson Alliance

“Much like Kirk’s earlier work, this book provides an opportunity to talk with children and other members of the family about the disease in a direct but nonthreatening way. I recommend it!”
John Dean, international PD speaker

“I loved the ‘voice’ of your grandchildren and the personal illustrations. I am glad you included the surgery, as it gave my kids an opening to ask questions.”
Kate Strittmatter, early onset PWP mother of two young children

“It really brings home the wonderful relationships of grandchildren to grandparents and how they too are affected by PD. Definitely a wonderfully positive and honest perspective.”
Cheryl A. Siefert, Parkinson Association of the Rockies

“Kirk’s heart-warming story reinforces the special relationship children and grandparents have, whilst skillfully weaving in the importance of carers and family. This lovely book subtly opens the door to exploring with young children the impact of Parkinson’s on daily life as well as the importance of participating in clinical trials. A super read for all ages.”
--European Parkinson Disease Association, London, UK

Carina and Her Care Partner Gramma is available now in the U.S. and internationally in paperback (ISBN: 978-1-61314-171-7), hardback (ISBN: 978-1-61314-158-8), Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble Nook, Apple iPad/iPhone, Google Android, and other smartphone/PC editions.

About the Author: Kirk Hall is a husband, father, and grandfather of six living in the Denver area. He has been an author and patient perspective Parkinson’s advocate since 2011. His personal experience as a person with Parkinson’s includes participation in three area support groups, clinical research studies including two visits to the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), and joint presentations with movement disorder specialists to support groups sponsored by the Parkinson Association of the Rockies (PAR) and University of Colorado Hospital. Kirk has been a guest speaker at the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center in Phoenix and has been the subject of television, radio, and newspaper interviews. He and his wife of 43 years, Linda, are Parkinson Disease Foundation (PDF) clinical research advocates. Kirk’s Shaky Paws Grampa blog, which includes articles about his writing, advocacy activities, PD-related subjects, and personal journey can be found at http://shakypawsgrampa.blogspot.com/.

About the Illustrator: Alison Paolini lives in Northern California where she enjoys a multitude of creative activities. She studied acting, set design, fine art, and commercial illustration at California State University at Northridge where she received her BA in Art. Alison is a published illustrator and poet. She is an active member of the Parkinson’s Association of Northern California. She and her husband have two children and three grandchildren. They have enjoyed living in and visiting many parts of the world.

About Innovo Publishing LLC: Innovo Publishing is a full-service Christian publisher serving the Christian and wholesome markets. Innovo creates, distributes, and markets quality hardback and paperback books, eBooks (Kindle, Nook, iPhone, iPad, ePub, Android), audiobooks (CD & MP3), music, and film through traditional publishing, cooperative publishing, and independent publishing models. Innovo provides distribution, marketing, and automated order fulfillment through a network of thousands of physical and online wholesalers, retailers, bookstores, music stores, schools, and libraries worldwide including Amazon, Audible, iTunes, Rhapsody, Barnes & Noble, Borders and many more. Innovo publishes Christian fiction and non-fiction books and wholesome books for all publishing genres. Visit Innovo at www.innovopublishing.com.


Contact Information:
Contact:           Dr. Bart Dahmer
Innovo Publishing LLC
Phone:              1-888-546-2111
Web Site:         www.innovopublishing.com
Email:               info@innovopublishing.com

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

PARKINSON EXERCISE ESSENTIALS: A New Program from the Davis Phinney Foundation



DVD ParkinsonExerciseEssentials sm Parkinsons Exercise Essentials DVD

The Davis Phinney Foundation is pleased to announce their newest initiative, an instructional DVD on exercising with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s Exercise Essentials: Getting Started, Staying Motivated and Seeing Results was developed in collaboration with Dr. Matthew Ford of The University of Alabama at Birmingham and provides the background information and tools needed to embark on a lifelong personal exercise program.


The DVD includes workouts that can be performed at home, in a fitness center or in the 
community. The workouts include guidance and adaptations for a range of ages and stages of Parkinson’s, from diagnosis through advanced stages of the disease. Thirteen people with Parkinson’s (ages 35 to 74) demonstrate that neither age nor disease progression need be barriers to fitness.  Their offical launch for this program will take place September 17.


Please visit www.davisphinneyfoundation.org/dvd to view a short preview of the DVD and learn more.  You can also view a movie trailer at http://vimeo.com/73142626.  The DVD is free and can be requested online or by calling 855-346-7564.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

CARINA BOOK




     














I introduced this book a few months ago on this blog at 
http://shakypawsgrampa.blogspot.com/2013/04/carina-and-her-care-partner-grammma.html.  The book is now available on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=node%3D4&field-keywords=carina+and+her+care+partner+gramma) and will be available soon at all online bookstores and on the Innovo Publishing website.  I think the soft cover (paperback) version is the best value as it is identical to the hardback except for the cover, which is laminated and should hold up well.

About the Book: Carina and Her Care Partner Gramma, the second book in the Shaky Paws Grampa series, was written to address Parkinson's disease (PD) specifically and to provide a communication tool for people with Parkinson's to use with their children or grandchildren. This book provides details specific to PD symptoms and mentions important issues in the "PD world," including deep brain stimulation therapy, PD advocacy, the importance of exercise, the need for patient participation in clinical research studies, and the importance of care partners. Carina and Her Care Partner Gramma was conceived and written by Kirk Hall and illustrated by Alison Paolini, PD patients who also are parents and grandparents. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to support Parkinson's research and awareness. **** About the Author: Kirk Hall is a husband, father, and grandfather of six living in the Denver area. He has been an author and patient perspective Parkinson's advocate since 2011. His personal experience as a person with Parkinson's includes participation in three area support groups, clinical research studies including two visits to the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), and joint presentations with movement disorder specialists to support groups sponsored by the Parkinson Association of the Rockies (PAR) and University of Colorado Hospital. Kirk has been a guest speaker at the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center in Phoenix and has been the subject of television, radio, and newspaper interviews. He and his wife of 43 years, Linda, are Parkinson Disease Foundation (PDF) clinical research advocates. Kirk's Shaky Paws Grampa blog, which includes articles about his writing, advocacy activities, PD-related subjects, and personal journey can be found at http://shakypawsgrampa.blogspot.com/. **** About the Illustrator: Alison Paolini lives in Northern California where she enjoys a multitude of creative activities. She studied acting, set design, fine art, and commercial illustration at California State University at Northridge where she received her BA in Art. Alison is a published illustrator and poet. She is an active member of the Parkinson's Association of Northern California. She and her husband have two children and three grandchildren. They have enjoyed living in and visiting many parts of the world.


Endorsements


“Kirk’s heart-warming story reinforces the special relationship children and grandparents have, whilst skillfully weaving in the importance of carers and family. This lovely book subtly opens the door to exploring with young children the impact of Parkinson’s on daily life as well as the importance of participating in clinical trials. A super read for all ages.”
European Parkinson Disease Association
London, UK

“I absolutely love this kid’s book!  It really brings home the wonderful relationships of grandchildren to grandparents and how they, too, are affected by PD.  Definitely a wonderfully positive and honest perspective.”
Cheryl A. Siefert, MNM
Executive Director, Parkinson Association of the Rockies

“I loved your book. It made me cry.  I loved that the “voice” was that of your grandchildren and the personal illustrations. I am glad that you included the surgery as it gave my kids an opening to ask questions.”
Kate Strittmatter
Early Onset Support Group Leader & early onset PWP mother of two young children

“This book may be written for children, but Kirk’s loving style is incredibly appropriate for people of all ages. He sends a beautiful and very powerful message---a must-read for everyone.”
Carol Walton
CEO, Parkinson Alliance

“A ‘child's-eye view’ of Parkinson's disease as it intersects with daily life. Much like Kirk's earlier work, this book provides an opportunity to talk with children and other members of the family about the disease in a direct but non-threatening way. I highly recommend it.”
John Dean
International Parkinson’s Speaker & Parkinson's Program Coordinator, Mountain States Division at Life Care Centers of America

"A profound, yet delightfully innocent exploration of the complex facets of living
with the day to day challenges of caring for people with Parkinson's. A must read for young and old together who cherish a simple and gentle way to stimulate curiosity and dialogue about Parkinson's Disease."
Peter Davison
International Motivational Speaker & early onset PWP father of two preschool children

Carina And Her Care Partner Gramma is available at www.InnovoPublishing.com and at all online bookstores including Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=node%3D4&field-keywords=carina+and+her+care+partner+gramma)


Tuesday, September 3, 2013

PALLIATIVE CARE AND NEUROLOGY: Time for a Paradigm Shift

The Department of Neurology
and
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Office of Continuing Medical Education
present
GRAND ROUNDS

    PALLIATIVE CARE AND NEUROLOGY: 
Time for a Paradigm Shift

Benzi M. Kluger, MD, MS
Associate Professor of Neurology

Wednesday, September 4, 2013
5:00-6:00 pm
Hensel Phelps Auditorium West
Research Complex 1 North