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I think a book aimed at middle to high schoolers would be excellent. I wonder if you could sort of follow the format of the Herman/Blake-Krebs book and do some interviews with younger people. I have two nieces, now one junior in college and one junior in high school who's mother was diagnosed about 10 years ago. They have really been through it all, including dad hitting the bricks early into the diagnosis. I'm sure they would have a lot to say about being "left behind" to deal with the future, the college one changed plans at the very last minute and stayed much closer to home than she had planned. They have since (as of December) taken on a new step-father, gone through the building of a new house with things like walk-in showers and a room reserved for a potential live-in caregiver. I'm sure they would be willing to share their thoughts if you devised some sort of questionairre. We could certainly also provide the stories of other older kids/young adults. Let me know how you progress and how we can help! Meg -----Original Message----- From: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Peggy Willocks Sent: Monday, January 17, 2005 7:17 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Parkinson's and Children I've been reading with interest your comments about the need for children's books to help them deal with a family member with Parkinson's. I have a copy of the one APDA published, "My Mommy Has Parkinson's . . . and It's OK;" but it is more like a booklet. It's wonderfully illustrated with a child's drawings, which makes it appealing to younger children. I would estimate it to be a book appropriate for ages 2-10. However, as has been the case in most instances I've seen, younger kids have a unique way of just accepting things as they are. Whenever I have to ride in a wheelchair, I am just at the eye level of the little people. Who do you think my best fans are?? What I think is needed are books dealing with the child who is beginning to think independently - who notices that mom, dad, or a grandparent is "different" - something to appeal to the older child. I can also see a need for books on the psychological effects on adolescents and teens of living with a family member with a chronic degenerative illness like PD. I have been dabbling in a little bit of everything advocacy-wise, trying to find my niche and wanting a way to contribute to the PD community. I think you have given me the idea! I'm going to start thinking in the direction of publishing a book that would be of benefit to the younger person(s). I hope you will help me along the way! In fact, if you will start sending me your ideas here, I'll try to incorporate them. THANKS for the motivation! Peggy ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn