Bell Area Parkinsons Support

Bell Area Parkinsons Support BAPS exists to support people living with Parkinson's and their caregivers who live in or near Bell

Steven Darroh is a Speech Language Pathologist and his experience in Austin as an SLP helped him create an app he calls ...
04/16/2026

Steven Darroh is a Speech Language Pathologist and his experience in Austin as an SLP helped him create an app he calls Loud and Clear.

An Austin man has come up with an idea to provide some stability for those with Parkinson’s disease, and it’s free.

Latest Advances in Parkinson's Treatments:  What Veterans Need to Know
04/16/2026

Latest Advances in Parkinson's Treatments: What Veterans Need to Know

In this webinar, we’ll explore the latest evidence-based treatments available to veterans living with Parkinson’s, including emerging therapies and clinical trial opportunities.

BeechBands - We have two BeechBands available for evaluation checkout.  If you're interested in using one for a few week...
04/16/2026

BeechBands - We have two BeechBands available for evaluation checkout. If you're interested in using one for a few weeks for evaluation, let me know and I'll bring one or both to the meeting.

Discover the wristband that’s helping calm people and change lives. BeechBand is a wellness device not a medical device. We create physical solutions that will help people live their best possible life.

04/16/2026

BAPS News & Updates:

Members,

We have a support group meeting this Friday (April 17) at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 206 W. Fowler Ave, Killeen from 2:30 - 4:00. Doors open at 2:10 for socializing, a light snack, and signing in. All who can are encouraged to attend.

CLEAR SKY REHAB - Gilbert from Clear Sky Rehab Hospital will provide a short introduction to Clear Sky. He will also provide our snacks. This information is part of our 'learn before you need the information" updates. Too often, the need to select a rehab hospital comes with little notice.

Do you sing or regularly play an instrument? - I met Dr. Anita Swanson at a disabilities resources fair in Belton last week and learned about her study of PD and Music. I've attached the Interview Study flyer. Participants must have a diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease and routinely sing or play a musical instrument. A $50 gift card is compensation for participation in the study. I know we have singers and those who play a range of instruments in the BAPS group. Let's help support her research.

BeechBands - Two BeechBands are available for evaluation checkout. If you're interested in using one for a fw weeks for evaluation, let me know and I'll bring one or both to the meeting.

FUTURE BAPS ACTIVITIES (Activities for both groups below.):

April 24 - Belton - PwP & Caregivers split - Paige from Clear Sky visits each group

May 1 - Killeen - Support group meeting with James Rainey of Rainey & Rainey.

May 8 - Belton - Support group together (Tentative - discuss Symposium videos)

May 15 - Killeen - Support group meeting (Tentative - discuss Symposium videos)

May 22 - Belton - PwP and Caregivers split

May 29 - FIFTH FRIDAY - Cooking class & Social with snacks - CTCOG in Belton (We sometimes use the fifth Friday of a month for special activities.)

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

Send a message to learn more

04/08/2026

BAPS News & Updates:

BAPS Members and Friends,

On Friday afternoon, we'll meet in the CTCOG room with round tables. For the recent Symposium, we called it Room D for A la Carte Parkinson's. That will let us use hand mics to take questions from the floor. James Rainey of Rainey and Rainey Elder Law will provide an update on Estate Planning, Trusts, Qualifying for Medicaid, and more. I've heard his presentation twice and learned something each time. Some of you had 15-minute consultations with a Rainey & Rainey attorney during the Symposium on March 28. Now you can hear a structured presentation. If you already have your will, beneficiaries, and other documents prepared, consider this a check that nothing requires a relook. Feel free to invite a friend or family member. We'll start with the presentation so we have plenty of time for Q&A after the presentation. If time remains, we'll meet new members.

Friday's meeting is from 2:30 - 4:00 PM at the Central Texas Council of Governments (CTCOG), 2180 N. Main Street, Belton. We're meeting in D9, not our usual meeting room, midway down the left (north) hallway.

UPCOMING:

April 24 - CTCOG in Belton - Paige Cruz from Clear Sky Rehab has some surprises for us for Parkinson's Awareness Month. This is one of our split meetings where those with Parkinson's meet in the Executive Conference room (A1) and Caregivers meet in room D4. Paige will visit both rooma.
May 1 - BAPS-West meets at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church in Killeen at 2:30 for the Rainey & Rainey presentation. Good opportunity if you miss the Belton meeting this Friday.
May 8 - BAPS-North meets at CTCOG in Belton. The full support group meets for discussion.
May 15 - BAPS-West meets at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church in Killeen at 2:30.
May 22 - BAPS-North meets at CTCOG in Belton for a split meeting. Those with Parkinson's meet in the Executive Conference room (A1), and Caregivers meet in room D4.
May 29 - FIFTH FRIDAY. All are invited to the CTCOG kitchen and break room for some fun. Tricia Freeman, the Dishes by Trish chef who fed us well for the Symposium, will lead some in a cooking class. Others can socialize in the break room and hope for some tasty treats to enjoy.

See you soon!
Gayle

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

Send a message to learn more

Attention all PWP that enjoy singing or playing a musical instrument.  Anita Swanson who does Parkinson's research for t...
04/08/2026

Attention all PWP that enjoy singing or playing a musical instrument. Anita Swanson who does Parkinson's research for the University of Texas is paying to interview PWP who sing or have a music background. Looking for a second career, supplement your current therapy or just feel the calling...here is your opportunity!

04/01/2026

BAPS-West members,

We have a support group meeting this Friday (April 3) at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 206 W. Fowler Ave, Killeen from 2:30 - 4:00. Doors open at 2:10 for socializing, a light snack, and signing in. All who can are encouraged to attend.

NEW MEMBERS and UPDATES - We continue to find new members and that's a great thing. It's not good to live in isolation with Parkinson's when there's such great support available. We'll give new members the floor first so their questions can be answered. After that, I'm interested in your feedback from our first Central Texas Parkinon's Symposium. I hope you completed the Symposium survey form, but I won't get to see that for a while, so I look forward to hearing what you enjoyed most and what can be improved.

PARKINSON'S AWARENESS MONTH - April is a special time to help many learn about Parkinson's. It's also an important time to search for new members. We plowed the ground with the Symposium. Now let's be sure seeds are planted to sprout into new BAPS members.

See you Friday!
Gayle
254.718.4197
Coordinator, Bell Area Parkinson's Support

Send a message to learn more

BAPS Members - News & UpdatesBAPS-West Members, you're always welcome at BAPS-North meetings at CTCOG in Belton (2180 Ma...
03/25/2026

BAPS Members - News & Updates

BAPS-West Members, you're always welcome at BAPS-North meetings at CTCOG in Belton (2180 Main St).

Because of the Parkinson's Symposium the following day (Saturday, March 28), the Friday afternoon meeting in Belton will have special opportunities. Carma Franco from HOCTILC will have her Petting Zoo of Adaptive Devices in the Executive Conference room. I'd like to start with people with Parkinson's in this room. This will give you more time to experience the different devices because this room may get crowded on Saturday.

I'm asking Caregivers to gather in Room D8 to help with 3 or 4 simple tasks for the conference. Caregivers also have the opportunity for the Dementia Empathy Experience as soon as the vendor is set up. This experience is only available Friday afternoon! We may be testing the sound system at the same time, and your feedback is welcome.

At 3:15, we'll all gather in Room D9 where the round tables are located. If everything is ready, you'll get your conference bags and folders to check out. You can then put your name on your folder and place your bag and folder at your seat. Some seats will be reserved for the counts we have from College Station, Waco, and Georgetown. I want to eliminate - or at least reduce - any line at the Welcome Desk on Saturday morning. If you reserve your seat on Friday, you will be able to quickly pick up your nametag and move on to meet the sponsors. If time allows, caregivers can visit the petting zoo and people with Parkinson's can visit the Dementia Empathy Experience.

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

CENTEX Parkinson's Symposium News and Updates for March 28th 2026:Please review the most recent flyer, agenda, and locat...
03/22/2026

CENTEX Parkinson's Symposium News and Updates for March 28th 2026:

Please review the most recent flyer, agenda, and location site map. I have also attached a slide for this years Sponsors. When you get a chance, please stop by and say hello and tell them how much we appreciate their support. We couldn't have done this without their significant contribution.

Please make sure you have the most recent copies for your files and make appropriate changes to your registration form if you haven't already done so. If you have already submitted your registration form; you can update it between now and the Symposium at one of our meetings, as I will have them with me.

Please note that Registration is now closed. Those confirmed to attend will receive a confirmation email. Please let us know if you have not received the confirmation email, so that we can get it corrected. Thanks to everyone that has helped and supported this event.

Please continue to check back frequently this week to our page and look for emails with further updates and changes to this event.

Event: Central Texas Parkinson’s Symposium.
When: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Where: 2180 N. Main St, Belton, TX 76513 - Central Texas Council of Governments Building
What time: Doors open at 9:00 am for registration with the Symposium program beginning at 10 am. Please be seated by 9:55 for the Symposium Welcome at 10 am.

If you registered and are unable to attend, please text Bobbi Jennings at 832-298-1208, even if it is the day of the Symposium. If you are running late to the Symposium, text Bobbi so we can save your seat.

** Please remember to bring your medication **

Here are a few things you can expect:

 When you arrive: If you are with someone who finds it challenging to walk through the parking lot, you can pull up to the front door and assist your passenger into chairs that will be provided. Volunteers in green t-shirts will be on hand to keep them company while you park your vehicle.

 Enter the building: Check in at registration to pick up your name tag and symposium bag. Find your designated room and claim a chair. Write your name on the folder in your bag and leave it on the table to save your seat.

 Start your day: Visit the healthy bites snack table and speak with vendors located in areas A, B, and G. You can refer to the map you will receive at registration. Please be seated by 9:55 for the Symposium Welcome at 10 am.

 Volunteers in Green Shirts: If you need help finding your way around, you need a private restroom, or you just need a coffee refill, ask any volunteer in a green Symposium shirt. They are medical students, Kinesiology graduate students, and a mix of other backgrounds. Several have volunteered to gain an understanding of living with Parkinson’s. Their goal is to help make your day a positive experience. Feel free to introduce yourself and ask questions.

 StretchLab or Rainey & Rainey Legal Consult: If you signed up for these activities, you will receive a separate email confirming your assigned time. You can also ask any volunteer in a green shirt to help you find your assigned time. Both areas are fully booked so when it is your turn, promptly proceed to the event room even if it is during a presentation.

 Final event: Questions and expert round table will be from 3:00 – 3:30 pm if you are able to stay.

 Presentations: Presentations will be recorded and posted so you can view later.

Thank you...

03/22/2026

Address

Belton, TX
76513

Telephone

+12547184197

Website

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