WHO IS PEE DEE?
EXPLAINING PARKINSON'S DISEASE TO A CHILD
There are very few ‘children’s books’ on Parkinson's Disease! I find this surprising given that there are a lot of young children whose parents have PD. No-one knows just how many of these kids there are …but however many there are they deserve our help. One way to help these kids is to provide them with reliable information on PD and a good way to do this is to use ‘children’s books’ to read to them. Kids love to be told stories and to be read to. They love illustrated children’s books and so we need to produce some children’s books on PD.
Kay Mixson Jenkins has done just that. In her “Who is Pee Dee?” (published by UCB, Inc., 2008; see www.whoispeedee.com) she tells the story of a Mom’s PD to a young child. The child learns that the mom’s expression-less face does not mean that she does not love the child and so forth. The child learns how to help the Mom in various ways including a little muscle massage to ease that constricted muscles! The book is beautifully illustrated by Richard Morgan. Kids should love it.
Kay never ceases to amaze me in her tireless fight to raise awareness for Parkinson's Disease. Who Is Pee Dee? is another example of her efforts. Marcie Sewell, diagnosed at age 37; Mom to Max, Jake and Jeremy
Kay's book provides a loving and gentle explanation for the youngest kids in PD families one that may take some of the worry and fear out living with PD and hopefully lay the groundwork for the hard road ahead that these youngstersand their families have to face until there is a cure!;Eugenia Kaye, founder, www.pdhope.org; mother of Betty, Ruby and Molly. Molly's daddy, Jay, was diagnosed at 44.
Although written for children, Kay Mixson Jenkins book is an invaluable tool for educating people of all ages about what it is like to live with Parkinson's Disease.;James Trussell, president, Northwest Georgia Parkinson's Disease Association, diagnosed at age 37.
I saw your book its wonderful. I hope you are having success reaching other parents of young children to help explain PD in a child-friendly way. You did a superb job capturing the anxiety and anger and confusion that a child would feel in this situation. Nice work. I know the book has been floating from desk to desk in the office so you may hear from others on this as well. Thanks
Elizabeth Pollard Director of Special Events Parkinson's Disease Foundation
Who Is Pee Dee? is incredibly amazing, touching and moving. I had tears in my eyes the entire time I was reading it. It touches so close to home with my own children and will help so many other children who are struggling to understand our symptoms as well.Michelle Lane, President, Parkinson's Association of Louisiana diagnosed at age 32
This is Slow Poke, He represents Bradykinesia
