Children and adults throughout parts of Florida and Georgia will soon be learning about essential tremor (ET) thanks to the efforts of early childhood educator Amber Troutman.
Amber has made it her mission during National Essential Tremor Awareness Month in March, to place copies of the children’s book, “Shaky Quaky Jake” in Head Start locations in 21 counties in the two states.
Shaky Quaky Jake tells the story of a young boy named Jake who has essential tremor. It focuses on his experiences in the classroom and his struggle with being different. The book was written by Kelly D. Roberts and released in 2024.
Amber is inviting friends, family members and co-workers to purchase a copy of Shaky Quaky Jake and ship the book to her for distribution. Her goal is to secure 65 books. Global Bookshelves International, the publishing house for the book, has donated 15 bilingual copies of the book to Amber.
There’s a misconception that ET is a condition of the elderly, but it impacts all ages, even infants. Amber was diagnosed with ET in 2020, but she began having symptoms at age 10. She has been raising ET awareness for years.
“I advocate for kids all the time in the work I do, and I suddenly realized that I also can advocate for myself,” she said.
Her advocacy efforts include creating and distributing ET awareness bracelets all year long. Each March, she makes green ribbon pins (green is the main color in the International Essential Tremor Foundation’s logo) and shares them with friends and family, encouraging them to wear them and talk about ET. She also urges the wearing of green on Fridays.
Through Amber’s efforts, Shaky Quaky Jake will introduce children to essential tremor, as well as parents and classroom teachers.
“This project is raising awareness about kids who have essential tremor, but also will help kids who may have family members who have it,” Amber said. “If there’s a parent or grandparent, or an educator like me, who has it, this book will help them to understand it better.”
Shaky Quaky Jake can be ordered online through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Adventures Underground. Books can be shipped to Amber at the following address:
Amber Troutman
c/o D. Hicks
PO Box 242
Hillard, FL 32046
You are awesome.. never give up..
Being a retired ECE in Canada I give you congratulations for pursuing your work in this field with the ET . Hopefully I can send you funds instead of purchasing books and mailing them. Thank you for your goodness.