Bell Area Parkinsons Support

12/31/2025

Happy New Year BAPS Members! Wishing everyone a safe and wonderful holiday. Don't forget you have another Free Friday as there will not be a meeting this Friday. Our next meeting will be a joint meeting on Jan 9th at the CTCOG. This will be our big 2026 Kickoff Event on DBS with guest speakers. Please see our event post below for details and feel free to message us with questions. Blessing to all.🎉

Send a message to learn more

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year everyone! No meetings scheduled for tomorrow. Enjoy your Free Friday!

12/16/2025

2026 Kickoff! Joint Meeting about Deep Brain Simulation with local leaders in the therapy to give a great kickoff for BAPS in 2026. Hope to see many of you at CTCOG in Belton on Friday, January 9, 2026.

12/16/2025

☃︎🎅🎄❄️☃️🎁🦌Fun Friday! This Friday Dec 19th. Come join us.

Members,

Mark gave me the theme for Friday's meeting - Fun Friday! Feel free to wear that ugly Christmas/Holiday sweater. We can sing some Christmas carols, and eat sugar cookies or gingerbread men or women or other favorite snack. The focus is fun and relaxation.

You know the basics. Meeting is 2:30-4:00. Location is the fellowship hall of St. Andrew's United Methodist Church on W. Fowler in Killeen.

Feel free to invite others. If we have some first-time attendees, we'll make sure you're introduced to the group.

Gayle
254.718.4197
Coordinator, Bell Area Parkinson's Support (BAPS)

Send a message to learn more

12/16/2025

Members,

We had a great turnout for Friday's (Dec 12) meeting and the following social at Blackbird's Books & Spirits. Attached is the group photo I took at Blackbird's. Shawn Sawin maintains a scrapbook with photos of our members that is a great reference.

BLACKBIRD ATTENDEES STARTING FRONT CENTER (6PM on the clock) AND GOING CLOCKWISE: David Calvillo, Patty Freeman, Shawn Sawin, Judith Shields, Gary Shields, Bob Sawin, Daryl Green, Rhonda Green, Joyce Eckdale and her son Paul Eckdale, George Balady, Elton Bost, Marylou Bost, Alexa Manza, Joe Bommarito, and Chien Bommarito.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANUKKAH, OR OTHER CELEBRATION DURING THIS SEASON. BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY AND HEALTHY 2026 FOR ALL. I hope to see many of you at CTCOG in Belton on Friday, January 9, for a Joint Meeting about Deep Brain Simulation with local leaders in the therapy to give a great kickoff for BAPS in 2026.

Gayle
254.718.4197

12/04/2025

BAPS Members,

We're in the midst of what can be a busy Holiday season. I hope you've set aside time on Friday afternoon to be together with our BAPS group. We gather at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church fellowship hall, 206 W. Fowler Avenue, for a 2:30 meeting kickoff. We've talked about the importance of understanding transportation options in our area. Friends who have nothing to do with Parkinson's are welcome for this outing. We hope to be joined by some from St. Andrew's UMC who want to learn about riding the HOP.

Things are just a bit different for this meeting. I'll have a sign-in sheet, but no snacks, nametags, or handouts. Our only business is learning about the HOP transit system from James Wickham and then preparing for our short ride to Dave & Busters. Please come with questions for James, your smartphone, a credit card or prepaid card you want to use for HOP trips, and a spirit of adventure.

Ash, a server at Dave & Busters, has adjusted her work schedule so she can support us. Charlie and I ate at D&B tonight and I was pleased by the food. We'll have some appetizers to snack on or you can order a full meal. Charlie's nickname is Duck, and he'll be wearing one of his Duck work shirts so you can spot him easily. (I'll be the last to leave St. Andrew's so I can lock up.) We also have three game cards you can use to try out the arcade games. There's a giant Pac-Man, miniature bowling, and many high-tech games. If your schedule only lets you go to the social part, meet us at D&B's at 4 PM. Of course, driving from the church to D&B is an option. So is just attending the presentation. Here are two photos of Duck so any arriving at D&B before me will know who to look for. You can schedule your ride back to your car at the church at your convenience. HOP service ends at 8PM, so I'd plan to leave by 7 PM at the latest.

Gayle
254.718.4197

Bowling game at D&B.jpg
Duck at D&B.jpg

10/30/2025

REMINDER: Friday, October 31st is FREE FRIDAY! As it is the 5th Friday of Oct and there will be no meeting scheduled at any location. Look for upcoming events on FUN FRIDAYS in November. Happy Halloween!

Send a message to learn more

10/23/2025

GAPS GALA Invitation & RSVP Information

You’re invited to the inaugural GAPS Gala, an evening of celebration and support for Georgetown Area Parkinson’s Support on Wednesday, November 12th from 5pm to 7pm. Join us as we raise awareness and support to enhance programs and services for individuals and families living with Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders here in Georgetown. Enjoy great company, dinner, and inspiring stories - all while making a meaningful impact in our community. We can’t wait to share this special night with you!

When:
Wednesday, November 12th, 2025, 5:00pm to 7:00pm

Where:
Georgetown Community Center at San Gabriel Park
445 E. Morrow Street Georgetown, Texas 78626

The deadline to RSVP for the Gala is Wednesday, November 5th.

10/17/2025

Reminder: Feed back request for 3 items if not attending todays meeting in Killeen.

*Wed, 12 Nov, Georgetown - GAPS Gala - 5-7 pm - free dinner, but opportunities to donate. Would you like to join my husband and me at a BAPS table (or two).

*How about some social time together for our Nov 21 meeting?? Plus set up a backup transportation plan.

*The Parkinson's Plan: A New Path to Prevention & Treatment. Instant NYT bestseller. $31.99 hardcopy. If you want to try Audible, I can gift you one book to listen to.

If you can't be with us Friday, I'd like your feedback by email or text.
GayleInBelton@gmail.com or (254) 718-4197

10/15/2025

BAPS News & Updates:

Hi BAPS-West Members,

We meet Friday afternoon (Oct 17) at St. Andrews's United Methodist Church, 206 W. Fowler Ave, Killeen. We meet in the fellowship hall that's located off the exterior hallway that joins the sanctuary and the church office. The meeting is 2:30-4:00. Feel free to arrive between 2:10 and 2:30 to socialize, sign the attendance sheet, and grab a snack. We'll welcome new members and gather their questions to be addressed by the other members. I'll use the remaining time for updates about upcoming events and other topics.

Here's a quick summary of what you'll find on the attached package:
1. Saturday, 18 Oct, North Austin, - Symposium for those diagnosed with PD within the past three years. I've heard both speakers and recommend them. The location in Austin is near the intersection of I-35 and 45th Street.
2. Saturday, 25 Oct, Belton - DEA National Takeback - safe disposal of unneeded prescription drugs at CTCOG.
3. Tuesday, 4 Nov, Belton - Caregivers Conference at CTCOG with Dr. Alex Armitage as keynote speaker..
4. Friday, 7 Nov, Killeen - Steven Darrah, speech therapist, creator or Loud & Clear returns as requested BAPS speaker.
5. Wed, 12 Nov, Georgetown - GAPS Gala - 5-7 pm - free dinner, but opportunities to donate. Would you like to join my husband and me at a BAPS table (or two).
6. How about some social time together for our Nov 21 meeting?? Plus set up a backup transportation plan.
7. No BAPS-North meeting on November 28 - Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
8. The Parkinson's Plan: A New Path to Prevention & Treatment. Instant NYT bestseller. $31.99 hardcopy. If you want to try Audible, I can gift you one book to listen to.
9. I Will Not Be Shaken. A new devotional book for those with PD and their care partners. Proceeds will be donated to PD non-profit organizations favored by the authors. $9.99 paperback.
10. Community Blessing created by James Lavender, Executive Director of GAPS.

If you can't be with us Friday, I'd like your feedback on items 5 and6 by email or text.

Gayle
Gayle Shull
254.718.4197
Coordinator, Bell Area Parkinson's Support (BAPS)

Send a message to learn more

10/08/2025

Reminder: Friday afternoon (Oct 10) at CTCOG, on N. Main Street in Belton. We're in the large D8 room on the right/North hallway. The meeting is 2:30-4:00. Feel free to arrive between 2:10 and 2:30 to socialize, sign the attendance sheet, and grab a snack.

Hi BAPS-North Members,

We meet on Friday afternoon (Oct 10) at CTCOG, on N. Main Street in Belton. We're in the large D8 room on the right/North hallway. The meeting is 2:30-4:00. Feel free to arrive between 2:10 and 2:30 to socialize, sign the attendance sheet, and grab a snack. Melinda is out of the area for a while, spending time with her sister. If anyone would like to greet newcomers and help with the attendance sheet, let me know. Dr. Brian Garner, Assistant Professor of Engineering at Baylor University, will provide an update on the BAYLOR/BAPS project conducted this summer at the Belton Senior Activities Center. He created the MiraColt horseback-riding simulator and plans to have a MiraColt for us to experience.

I thought we were also having an update on the UMHB Occupational Therapy project Friday, but I can't find any correspondence to back up that memory. We may not have time to review the many activities taking place before Thanksgiving. If you review these notes and the attached slides, please feed me any questions/comments.

Here's a quick summary of what you'll find on the attached package:
1. Friday, 10 Oct, Belton - Dr. Garner speaks to BAPS about the MiraColt he designed and the recent BAYLOR/BAPS study conducted at the Belton Senior Center about the impact of MiraColt rides for seniors.
2. Saturday, 18 Oct, North Austin, - Symposium for those diagnosed with PD within the past three years. I've heard both speakers and recommend them. The location in Austin is near the intersection of I-35 and 45th Street.
3. Saturday, 25 Oct, Belton - DEA National Takeback - safe disposal of unneeded prescription drugs at CTCOG.
4. Tuesday, 4 Nov, Belton - Caregivers Conference at CTCOG with Dr. Alex Armitage as keynote speaker..
5. Friday, 7 Nov, Killeen - Steven Darroh, speech therapist, creator or Louf & Clear returns as requested BAPS speaker.
6. Wed, 12 Nov, Georgetown - GAPS Gala - 5-7 pm - free dinner, but opportunities to donate. Would you like to join my husband and me at a BAPS table (or two).
7. No BAPS-North meeting on November 28 - Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
8. The Parkinson's Plan: A New Path to Prevention & Treatment. Instant NYT bestseller. $31.99 hardcopy. If you want to try Audible, I can gift you one book to listen to.
9. I Will Not Be Shaken. A new devotional book for those with PD and their care partners. Proceeds will be donated to PD non-profit organizations favored by the authors. $9.99 paperback.
10. BAPS Boxing Program at Beat Down Boxing. The Stronger than Parkinson's site says scholarships are paused, but they're still approving BAPS applications. If you haven't stopped by to see the M-W-F morning class or try out a free class, give it a try.
11. Community Blessing created by James Lavender, Executive Director of GAPS.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to let me know. I would like your feedback on items 6 and 7.

Gayle
Gayle Shull
254.718.4197
Coordinator, Bell Area Parkinson's Support (BAPS)

Send a message to learn more

10/03/2025

CAPS Presents: PUT PARKINSON'S IN PARK! Strategies & Resources for the newly diagnosed (3 years or less) and Parkinson's Community

RSVP: www.capitalareaparkinsons.org or email info@capitalareaparkinsons.org

When: Saturday Oct 18th, 2025, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Where: Ascension Seton - Texas Administrative Offices, 1345 Philomena St. Austin, Texas 78723.

Parking: The location, the Ascension Seton Admin Offices, is easy to find (near the intersection of I-35 and 45th Street in N. Austin.) The parking garage is a short and level walk to the meeting location.

Event features guest speakers' Allan Cole Dean of University of Texas School of Social Work, Parkinson's Author, and Thomas A. Hill, MD, Retired Neurologist Adjunct UT Neurology Faculty. An Expert Movement Panel includes Kara Doctor, PT, Dr. Nina Mosier, Power For Parkinson's, Kristi Richards, 413 Fitness.