Bell Area Parkinsons Support

02/17/2026

Reminder: BAPS-West Meeting Fri Feb 20th, 2026

Friday afternoon, 2:30 - 4:00 in the fellowship hall at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, 206 W. Fowler Ave, Killeen.

All are welcome and there's never a cost. Snack will include nuts and some PB Fit spread-filled dates.

Kaci Powers will start the meeting. Tammera and Kaci say, "Right at Home (Personal Caregiving Services) is honored and excited to be the speaker for this week's support group. Come learn about how our no hourly minimum and no contract for length of time philosophy can provide care and assistance to give those dealing with Parkinson's and their caregivers much-needed support.

We will also be sharing information about the new Medicare initiative called GUIDE. You do not want to miss how Traditional Medicare can provide $2,500 per year of paid respite care! It's an exciting new program!

02/17/2026

BAPS News and Updates:

BAPS-West Members,

I look forward to seeing many of you Friday afternoon, 2:30 - 4:00 in the fellowship hall at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, 206 W. Fowler Ave, Killeen. All are welcome and there's never a cost. I'll bring nuts and some PB Fit spread-filled dates.

Kaci Powers will start the meeting. Tammera and Kaci say, "Right at Home (Personal Caregiving Services) is honored and excited to be the speaker for this week's support group. Come learn about how our no hourly minimum and no contract for length of time philosophy can provide care and assistance to give those dealing with Parkinson's and their caregivers much-needed support. We will also be sharing information about the new Medicare initiative called GUIDE. You do not want to miss how Traditional Medicare can provide $2,500 per year of paid respite care! It's an exciting new program! Can't wait to see you!"

Our attached Central Texas Parkinson's Symposium Flyer has additional information. I'll have printed copies with me that you can share with others. We want to get the invitation to any touched by Parkinson's Disease who want a day-long opportunity to learn from medical experts and talk with others who live with Parkinson's.

During the February 13 meeting in Belton, I told about the team of five who met in May 2022 for a meeting that resulted in the kickoff of BAPS two month later. Mike and Mary Pinson from Harker Heights represented those who lived in Nolanville and further West. Their focus on scheduling meetings in their area led to the kickoff of BAPS-West in February 2023. After our meeting, I checked my texts. Tears came instantly when I read a text from Mary "Mike's last moment on earth was at 1:30. He is now at Jesus's feet enjoying fellowship with those who have gone before." Many of you in both BAPS groups have met Mike, seen his quick and bright smile, heard his military pilot stories, or heard his latest funny story. I also had the benefit of working with Mike almost 50 years ago and later meeting Mary. Service information will be issued by Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen. Mile is the white-haired man in the attached founders photo.

At a previous meeting, I shared very useful information from Les Ledger about the hospice support and home care his wife Linda was receiving. I shared information about Mike's passing with Les and was again brought to tears with his response. Les wrote, "Gayle, there are folks who left near the same time. Linda left on the 13th. We buried her on the 14th at our farm. It was a green funeral. We had a cabinet maker build her casket. Our sons dug her grave and closed it. I'm sad with Mary. At the least, Parkinson's died too. I hope her death was painful." My thoughts go to Linda, smiling as she rode the MiraColt at the Belton Senior Center. She and Les were instrumental in starting the BAPS group in Killeen and reminding me of "people to the West". Linda was both kind and determined.

I'll miss the Pinson and Ledger involvement with BAPS.

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

Send a message to learn more

02/11/2026

REMINDER: BAPS Members and Friends,

We should have a good time at Friday's meeting with Chef Tricia as we help her finalize her food plans for supporting the Central Texas Parkinson's Symposium. Friday's meeting is from 2:30 - 4:00 PM at the Central Texas Council of Governments, 2180 N. Main Street, Belton. We're meeting in D8, our large meeting room, down the right/North hallway.

Send a message to learn more

02/11/2026

BAPS News & Meetings Update:

BAPS Members and Friends,

We should have a good time at Friday's meeting with Chef Tricia as we help her finalize her food plans for supporting the Central Texas Parkinson's Symposium. Friday's meeting is from 2:30 - 4:00 PM at the Central Texas Council of Governments, 2180 N. Main Street, Belton. We're meeting in D8, our large meeting room, down the right/North hallway.

The Symposium is for you! Now that we're less than two months from the event (Saturday, March 28, at CTCOG), we'll be spending some of our BAPS meeting time preparing. I want you to have as much information as you need before the event so you can arrive ready to make the most of your time. You'll also be able to share your knowledge with others at the Symposium. Dr. Alex has gathered an excellent group of speakers. We're limiting our vendor list to an even dozen who directly support the Parkinson's Community. I'll tell you more about both the agenda and the vendors at Friday's meeting. Chef Tricia will support the Symposium with snacks and lunch. On Friday, we'll give her background, discuss preparing food that is both nutritious and tasty, explain how meal prep can help our busy lives, and let us sample some of the food she's considering for the Symposium. We'll have our normal bottled water, but not snacks other than Chef Tricia's food. We won't start eating before the meeting as we usually do. This Symposium will be a first for BAPS. Before COVID, BS&W sponsored symposia at Baylor Stadium and later at the Expo Center. I learned a great deal from each of those events.

UPCOMING:
Feb 20 - St. Andrew's United Methodist Church in Killeen, Right at Home will present.
Feb 27 - CTCOG in Belton - Those with Parkinson's will meet in the A1 Executive Conference room; Caregivers will meet in D10
March 6 - St. Andrew's United Methodist Church in Killeen
March 13 - CTCOG in Belton
March 20 - St. Andrew's United Methodist Church in Killeen
March 27 - CTCOG in Belton - Symposium "day-before" prep and an opportunity to meet three leaders from the College Station group.
April 3 - St. Andrew's United Methodist Church in Killeen
April 10 - CTCOG in Belton - Rainey and Rainey - Elder Law and Estate Planning (they are also vendors at the Symposium)

See you soon!
Gayle

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

Send a message to learn more

02/11/2026

Update on the Central Texas Parkinson's Symposium: Registration required. QR Code is not yet available for registration. Please continue to check back.

02/06/2026

Hi Members,

Our Bell Area Parkinson's Support group for Western Bell County, Copperas Cove, and nearby areas meets Friday, February 6, at St. Andrews United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall (206 W. Fowler Avenue, Killeen). We meet from 2:30 - 4:00, but feel free to arrive between 2:10 and 2:30 to sign in, grab a snack, and socialize. All are welcome. There is no cost for membership.

George Balady will manage this week's meeting while I'm visiting the College Station Rock Steady Boxing gym and attending a MiraColt presentation by Dr. Garner of Baylor University to the Kineosiology Department at TAMU.

- Expect George to greet new members and have their questions discussed by all.

- Also expect to learn more about the Central Texas Parkinson's Symposium we're hosting on Saturday, March 28, 9:00 - 2:30. This is our first Symposium, but it's already becoming a great opportunity to learn and meet others living with Parkinson's Disease throughout Central Texas.

- If you're receiving this email, you're a member of BAPS-West even if you haven't yet attended a meeting.

Gayle

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

Send a message to learn more

01/30/2026

BAPS Members Calendar Notes & Updates:

01/30/2026

BAPS Boxing Program at Beat Down Boxing Gym in Temple Tx celebrates its third year next week.

"I truly do believe in the program and know that each time I go, I am extending my life." David Calvillo

Are you wondering what program we're about to celebrate? The BAPS Boxing program at the Beat Down Boxing gym in downtown Temple turns 3 next week. Come join us on Wednesday, February 4, after the 10-11 am class, to celebrate the birthday of this critical program led by Rolando Urrea and his wife, Martha. Even better, arrive at 10 am to join the class. Wednesday classes are focused on aerobic and stretching, so you don't need boxing gloves for that session.

I first heard David's assessment of the importance of the 3-times-a-week exercise program to his life at Friday's BAPS meeting of People with Parkinson's. It was also encouraging when David added, "At the end of each session, I feel GREAT!" David will tell you that he doesn't come from a sports background. We currently have seven fighters in the program - 4 men and 3 women. Rolando does a great job of tailoring the sessions to be challenging, but within each fighter's capability.

Beat Down Boxing is located at 10 S. Main Street in downtown Temple. Coach Rolanda is a retired, professional boxer who coaches Golden Glove contenders in the evening. He learned about working with People with Parkinson's when he coached UMHB football coach Corky Nelson for more than a year. Three years ago, Rolando was quick to agree to open his gym three mornings each week so he could lead BAPS Boxing. Check out the attached flyer and photos for details, and join us on Wednesday to celebrate!

01/30/2026

Reminder: No meeting today. This is a Free Friday...enjoy your weekend. Hope to see you next month at our regular scheduled meetings.

Send a message to learn more

01/30/2026

Save the Date! Central Texas Parkinson's Symposium Saturday March 28th 2026, 9:00 - 2:30.

01/14/2026

BAPS members,

Some of you attended the Joint BAPS meeting about DBS on January 9 in Belton. For others, this will be our first time together in 2026.

Our meeting location is St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 206 W. Fowler Ave, Killeen. The meeting starts at 2:30, but you can arrive as early as 2:10 to sign in, grab a snack, and socialize. We end by 4:00 pm.

Driving directions to our Killeen location: Take the Trimmier Road exit on I-14. Proceed north between the 1st National Bank high building and the Red Lobster restaurant. The second signal light will be at Fowler, but I found no sign at the intersection that mentions Fowler. The street to the East is Terrace Drive and the sign near the signal lights points straight ahead for Downtown. Trust me, W. Fowler is the road to the West/Left at that intersection. Wind through a residential area until you get to the parking lot for St. Andrew's United Methodist Church on the left just before you reach Florence Road. The Fellowship Hall entrance faces Fowler and is just past the office entrance. I'll have a BAPS sign on the door that leads to the Fellowship Hall.

Gayle

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

Send a message to learn more

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