How Do You Explain To Children that You Have Parkinson’s?

Seeing a loved parent or grandparent with Parkinson’s disease can be quite scary and difficult to understand for young children and finding the right words to explain Parkinson’s and why someone in their family may not be able to move as freely as other people, may not have the same facial expressions and why they take tablets to, can be extremely difficult.  

The Parkinson’s Disease Society have produced four new illustrated books which will help parents and grandparents with Parkinson’s explain to their children and grandchildren up to seven years old about living with the condition. The books were written by writer and columnist, Virginia Ironside and illustrated by four MA in illustration students from the Royal College of Art.  

The books are:

• My Mum has Parkinson’s
• My Dad has Parkinson’s
• My Grandad has Parkinson’s
• My Gran has Parkinson’s

The books are available free of charge and there are four to choose from.  Pick the book that’s right for you and telephone 01473 212 115 or email pds@sharward.co.uk to order.

In the UK, one in 500 people, around 120,000 individuals, have Parkinson's.   About 10,000 people in the UK are diagnosed each year. Symptoms first appear, on average, when a patient is older than 50 but one in 20 of those diagnosed each year will be aged under 40 years. The freephone Helpline, which provides help and advice to all people affected by Parkinson’s, can be reached by calling 0808 800 0303 Monday-Friday 9.30am-9pm and Saturday 9.30am-5.30pm.