Bell Area Parkinsons Support

11/03/2026

BAPS-West Members,

Our Parkinson's Wellness Blitz starts Thursday. I want you to have the latest information on the events so you can select the events that are best for you. It's great if you can attend each event, but I know that won't be possible for all.

1. Thursday, Nov 5:
a. 1-4, CTCOG in Belton - Living Well With Parkinson's Workshop by Dr. Alex Armitage, DNP, CNL, APRN, FNP-BC. Dr. Alex will provide practical tips for Living Well With Parkinson's from 1-3 PM. She will then host a Q&A session from 3-4. Each individual or family will receive a workbook prepared by Dr. Alex that provides practical tips for living well with Parkinson's. Attendees will receive pens, paper, and adhesive tabs for taking notes. Her presentation will be videotaped. No registration is required. Bottled water will be available.
b. 5-7, Georgetown Community Center, GAPS Gala. A full meal will be served, a jazz group will provide music for dancing, and several speakers will give short, inspirational talks celebrating the Parkinson's community's support. Registration has ended for this free event.

2. Friday, Nov 6 - 2:30-4:00, BAPS-West Meeting. St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, Killeen. We'll welcome new members, meet Angela Nauck - TAMU-CT Social Work intern for BAPS for spring and summer semesters, and discuss the Nov 5 workshop. BAPS-North members are welcome, but you'll get to meet Angela on Nov 13.

3. Tuesday, Nov 10 - 9:0Learn0-2:00, CTCOG in Belton - Caregiver's Conference. Presentations, a breakout room about equipment to assist caregivers by Carma Franco, a breakout room about music therapy by the owner of the Dementia Enrichment Center in S. Belton, and vendor tables. Presentations begin at 10 am. Lunch is provided at no cost. Registration is required. You can call 254.770.2330 for information or to register. You can also register using the QR code on the attached flyer. The second flyer provides information about the conference presentations. Those with Parkinson's are invited to attend with their caregivers or alone if you're serving as your own caregiver. If you need respite care to allow you to attend, call CTCOG and discuss available options.

4. Friday, Nov 13 - 2:30-4:00, CTCOG in Belton - Adaptive Exercise and Caregiver Safety by Eric Rhoden, DPT. Learn practical, evidence-based approaches to adaptive exercise for people with Parkinson's, including those with cognitive challenges. Dr. Rhoden will share strategies for effective cueing and safe assistance to support mobility, confidence, and independence. I've invited Rolando (our boxing coach) and Jacob (our adaptive exercise coach). Feel free to invite others who may benefit from the presentation. This is also an opportunity for the BAPS0North members to meet Angela Nauck - TAMU-CT Social Work intern for BAPS for spring and summer semesters.

OTHER INFO:

Pill Canister - Alexa Manza, BAPS-North member, shared information at out last PwP meeting about a pill canister she has found to be very handy for keeping her meds handy. It's small, sturdy, and easy to open. $10 on Amazon for the medium size. 1.44 ounces. Made from 6063 aluminum alloy. Waterproof.
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I hope to see you at several of the events in the next two weeks!

Gayle
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Gayle S. Shull
254.718.4197; [email protected]
Coordinator, Bell Area Parkinson's Support (BAPS)

10/20/2026

Hi members,

Friday afternoon is our final opportunity until January 2027 to share information with one another. Our meetings in November and December are either presentations or canceled to enjoy the holidays. Friday afternoon is a meeting where members with Parkinson's and medical support guests gather in the Executive Conference Room right off the lobby at CTCOG in Belton. At the same time, caregivers and other family members are in a nearby room with Shawn. Several new members have contacted me about BAPS. Friday's meeting is a great time for new members to attend.

WHO: All who are interested. No cost. No membership requirement.
WHAT: Bell Area Parkinson's Support - North meeting
WHY: Share information about Living Well with Parkinson's
WHEN: Friday, October 23, 2:30-4:00. Come as early as 2:10 to socialize.
WHERE: CTCOG (Central Texas Council of Governments), 2180 N. Main Street, Belton, TX

Quick look ahead for the remainder of 2026! You can find flyers for many of the activities on our Bell Area Parkinson's Support page and at Friday's meeting.

- No BAPS meeting at either location on October 30. It's a 5th Friday and 5th Fridays always cause confusion for some.

- November has many opportunities to learn and share.

- Thursday, Nov 5, CTCOG in Belton, 1-4, BAPS-sponsored Parkinson's Workshop "Practical Tips for Living with Parkinson's. Dr. Alex (Alex Armitage, DNP) will provide two hours of information followed by an hour of Q&A. Dr. Alex has prepared a workbook for attendees that documents the Tips and provides pages for each PwP to document how the topic applies to their Parkinson's Journey.
-Also on Thursday, Nov 5, 5-7 pm in Georgetown, GAPS Gala celebrating the Parkinson's Community. Dinner, inspirational stories, live music. No cost, but there will be a soft request for donations. Registration is required - go to GAPSTX.ORG.

- Tuesday, Nov 10, CTCOG in Belton, 9-2, Area Agency on Aging-sponsored Caregiver Conference: Caring Through Change. Lunch is provided, so registration is required. Lunch is provided, so registration is required. Use this QR code or call 254.770.2330 to register. If you need someone to care for your loved one so you can attend, you'll be contacted to make arrangements.
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- Friday, Nov 13, CTCOG in Belton, 2:30-4, JOINT BAPS meeting for Eric Rhoden, DPT, to present on Adaptive Exercise and Caregiver safety. You will also have an opportunity to meet Angela Nauck, our TAMU-CT social work intern. Angela starts her two-semester internship in January as our first BAPS intern!

- Friday, Nov 27, no BAPS-N meeting. Enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend.

- Friday, Dec 11, CTCOG in Belton, 2:30-4, Presentation by Nicki Turnbow from AbbVie. We'll be among the first potential customers to learn about Juvmo (tavapadon). Juvmo was approved for Parkinson's disease on September 28, 2026. It one of the most promising new treatment breakthroughs for Parkinson's Disease.

- Friday, Dec 25, Merry Christmas to All - no BAPS meeting.

- Friday, Jan 8, Our first BAPS-North meeting in 2027!

Gayle
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Gayle S. Shull
254.718.4197; [email protected]
Coordinator, Bell Area Parkinson's Support (BAPS)

10/15/2026

Save the Date! 2026 Caregiver Conference

Date & Time: Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Location: CTCOG 2180 North Main St., Belton, Texas 76513

10/14/2026

Hi BAPS- Members,

We meet Friday afternoon (Oct 16) at St. Andrew's UMC in Killeen from 2:30-4:00, As usual, you can arrive at 2:10 or later to sign in, grab a snack, and socialize. No presentation for this meeting so we can focus on any new members who attend and updates and questions from all. For new members, St. Andrew's is at 206 W. Fowler Ave in Killeen. We meet in the Fellowship Hall, about halfway down a covered walkway from the parking lot. All are welcome. No fees. No RSVP required.

Appointments, travel, and more keep some members from attending, so I wanted to use this email to remind all of some time sensitive actions. You can find flyers for many of the activities on our Bell Area Parkinson's Support page and at Friday's meeting.

- No BAPS meeting at either location on October 30. It's a 5th Friday and 5th Fridays always cause confusion for some.

- November has many opportunities to learn and share.

- Thursday, Nov 5, CTCOG in Belton, 1-4, BAPS-sponsored Parkinson's Workshop "Practical Tips for Living with Parkinson's. Dr. Alex (Alex Armitage, DNP) will provide two hours of information followed by an hour of Q&A. Dr. Alex has prepared a workbook for attendees that documents the Tips and provides pages for each PwP to document how the topic applies to their Parkinson's Journey.
-Also on Thursday, Nov 5, 5-7 pm in Georgetown, GAPS Gala celebrating the Parkinson's Community. Dinner, inspirational stories, live music. No cost, but there will be a soft request for donations. Registration is required - go to GAPSTX.ORG.

- Friday, Nov 6, St. Andrew's UMC in Killeen, 2:30-4:00, BAPS-West support group meeting.

- Tuesday, Nov 10, CTCOG in Belton, 9-2, Area Agency on Aging-sponsored Caregiver Conference: Caring Through Change. Lunch is provided, so registration is required. I owe you the registration contact information.

- Friday, Nov 13, CTCOG in Belton, 2:30-4, JOINT BAPS meeting for Eric Rhoden, DPT, to present on Adaptive Exercise and Caregiver safety.

- Friday, Nov 20, St. Andrew's UMC in Killeen, 2:30-4:00, BAPS-West support group meeting.

Busy month, but some great information opportunities.

OTHER:

1. Research Study Opportunity. If you meet the Basic Criteria, I encourage you to apply to see if you're accepted as one of the few individuals in the US to be interviewed in your home in October. If you apply, please mention BAPS. Those selected are paid more than $600 for the 4-hour interview.
- Basic Criteria: Diagnosed with PD 4–11 years ago; age 55–75; currently seeing an MDS or neurologist; experience "OFF" time; taking prescription PD medication; and currently using oral carbidopa/levodopa (e.g., Sinemet or Crexont), a Duopa pump, or a Vyalev pump.
- How to Apply: Visit the Research Application Link (https://lagripperesearch.research.net/r/NB3RQF7), call Maggie Barber at 847-373-4104, or email [email protected].

2. Journey Ambassador Program if you have hallucinations and/or delusions.
Join the Journey Ambassador Program – An education initiative that brings together patients and care partners who have experienced Parkinson’s-related hallucinations and/or delusions and are ready to share their story.

Sharing your story and insights will help shape programs and services that support other patients and care partners just like you. Your unique [patient/care partner] perspective could help others navigate their own diagnosis and treatment journeys.

If you are interested in sharing your story, click here to become a candidate. This initiative is sponsored by Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc.

3. The Secret Life of Parkinson's by Jessica Krauser and Brian Baker and Getting Real about Parkinson's by Bryce Perry are two podcast channels you may want to check out. Both are provided by People with Parkinson's. I listen on YouTube. They're also on Spotify and other podcast sources. If you aren't familiar with accessing podcasts, we can discuss how on Friday.

Gayle

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Gayle S. Shull
254.718.4197; [email protected]
Coordinator, Bell Area Parkinson's Support (BAPS)

10/06/2026

Hi Members,

I hope to see many of you on October 9 for a presentation about Focused Ultrasound therapy. Focused ultrasound is no longer just a future possibility for Parkinson’s. FDA-cleared focused ultrasound treatments are now available for certain Parkinson’s motor symptoms, using precisely targeted ultrasound energy without an incision or implanted device.
Research continues to expand its possibilities—including staged treatment of both sides of the body for selected Parkinson’s patients and very different experimental applications involving the blood-brain barrier in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Join us Friday to learn what focused ultrasound can do today, who may be a candidate, and what researchers hope it can do in the future.

Kara Doctor, Clinical Account Manager with Insightec, will provide the presentation. I learned yesterday that a surgical consultation requires Kara to present by Zoom. The meeting will be at CTCOG, Room D9, 2180 N. Main Street, Belton. The meeting will be from 2:30 to 4:00. You may arrive between 2:10 and 2:30 to sign in, grab some water and a snack, and socialize. All are welcome.

Gayle
--
Gayle S. Shull
254.718.4197; [email protected]
Coordinator, Bell Area Parkinson's Support (BAPS)

10/05/2026

November Blitz! Please see the attached flyer for detailed information.

09/29/2026

Journey Ambassador Program - Share Your Story
Join the Journey Ambassador Program – An education initiative that brings together patients and care partners who have experienced Parkinson’s-related hallucinations and/or delusions and are ready to share their story.

Sharing your story and insights will help shape programs and services that support other patients and care partners just like you. Your unique [patient/care partner] perspective could help others navigate their own diagnosis and treatment journeys.

If you are interested in sharing your story, click here https://mypd-story.com/ to become a candidate. This initiative is sponsored by Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc

Sign up to share your experience

09/29/2026

Doorstep Trash Collection Assistance (Bell County, TX). If you reside in Bell County, you may qualify to have your trash picked up directly from your house rather than taking it to the curb.
- Killeen: Contact ADA Accessibility Services at 254-501-7841 or [email protected].
- Temple: Reach out via TTX Connect by dialing 311 locally, or call/text 254-298-5000.
- Harker Heights: Applications for "Disabled Household" pickup are available at the Public Works Counter at City Hall.
- Belton: Contact Belton Utility Billing at 254-933-5800 to register for Waste Management assistance.
- Unincorporated Bell County: Call your private waste provider (e.g., Waste Connections) directly to request "house-side" or "valet" service.
- General Requirements: Most programs require a signed doctor's note confirming physical inability to move the bin, and confirmation that no other able-bodied adults reside in the household. If your co-resident travels frequently, contact your provider to discuss your specific situation.

Send a message to learn more

09/29/2026

Air Travel Assistance: Air Travel Assistance
- At Airport: Resolution Official (CRO): You can request a CRO at any US airport for immediate, on-the-spot assistance with disability-related service issues at no cost.
- By Phone: DOT Disability Hotline: Call 1-800-778-4838 (M–F, 9 AM–5 PM ET) for real-time air travel assistance.
- Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard: Indicates to airport staff that you may need additional support. Lanyards can be picked up for free at participating 5major airports or ordered online through the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Shop:

Be visible when you want to be Wearing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower discreetly indicates to people around you including staff, colleagues and health professionals that you may need additional support, help or a little more time.

09/29/2026

Texas State Parks All-Terrain Track Chairs for Ultimate Outdoor Access. Please https://tpwd.texas.gov/about/accessibility/ for updates and additional information.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) wants everyone to be able to enjoy the outdoors. We are upgrading facilities, adding specialized equipment, making inclusive programs, and working with the disability community to make our programs, parks and places better for everyone. TPWD complies wi...