Unshakeable: Spreading Awareness, Education, and Advocacy About Parkinson’s Disease

Arianna Spurlin, 17, is a senior at Dallas High School, a children’s book author, and the reigning Miss Pennsylvania’s Teen 2024.
Her community service initiative, “Unshakeable” focuses on spreading awareness, advocacy and education about Parkinson’s disease. Arianna’s grandfather was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Her peers were asking her questions about Parkinson’s disease when she was in middle school. Arianna’s younger sister is receiving the same questions. This sparked her to author a book titled, “Pop with Parkinson’s, so children can learn about the importance of acceptance and education. The book is sold at Barnes and Noble. She is completing a second book due to be published later this year.
Through the Miss America Organization, Arianna has earned $50,000 in scholarships.
In January 2025, Arianna will take her advocacy to a national stage when she represents Pennsylvania in the Miss America Teen Competition in Orlando.
Follow her journey on social media: Facebook (Miss Pennsylvania’s Teen) and Instagram @missamericasteenpa
ABOUT THE BOOK:
I wrote Pop With Parkinson’s at age 15. I was inspired to write it because when I was younger, I was terrified of Parkinson’s Disease and how it impacted my grandfather. My friends were asking questions about PD when I was younger. Now, my younger sister is receiving those same questions.
It isn’t something frequently talked about, especially with children, and I didn’t know what it was, which made it even scarier to me. This book explains to children in a fun and creative way that Parkinson’s Disease is not something to be afraid of, but it is something we need to be aware of as young people. No child, teenager, or adult should ever have to be afraid of a PD diagnosis because if we know about it, we are prepared for what is in front of us! Buy the book here: www.barnesandn...