Bell Area Parkinsons Support

06/10/2026

Hi BAPS-North members,

We meet together this Friday afternoon, June 12, from 2:30 - 4:00 in Room D9 (round tables) at CTCOG in Belton. The address is 2180 North Main Street. The visit from Dr. Coughlin of Clear Sky Rehab Hospital is postponed so we have the full meeting time to meet new members, hear updates, and discuss.
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I have an important update to share about a member. Kathleen Troutman has been missing from our meetings recently because she's dealing with a Pancreatic Cancer diagnosis. This puts her Parkinson's on the back burner. Kathleen told me I could share this news with the group when she and Richard called me to offer her U-Step walker to someone who might benefit from using it - no cost. From Google: Unlike standard rollators, it prevents falls and "runaway" accidents by using a patented reverse braking system and a highly stable, multi-wheeled base. The U-Step walker can be transported in most vehicles, but it's not a lightweight transport walker. The reverse braking system means the user lightly squeezes the brake to GO. When there's no pressure, the walker stops.
Here's contact information:
Kathleen:- [email protected] 405.414.2937
Richard - [email protected] 405.620.3908

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MiraColt is at the Belton Senior Activity Center for the month of June. You can ride for free whenever the center is open, but it's best to arrive between 9 and 1 when the main door is unlocked and someone is at the front desk. If you aren't familiar with the MiraColt, we can discuss it Friday.
Details for your visits:
- Address: 842 S. Mitchell Street, Belton.
- Hours: It is best to arrive between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM while the main door is unlocked.
- Access: Sign in as a member or guest and proceed to the corner with the TV.
- Guidelines: A poster is available on-site showing the recommended speed and duration.
- Scheduling: Rides are available on a first-come, first-served basis; no appointments are necessary.
- Membership is free. This is a good opportunity to sign up. While you are there, I encourage you to check out the Center’s recent renovations. The north side features a new kitchen, restrooms, and two new rooms. One of the rooms is a library with a pool table.
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Kristy Delong, a senior researcher at Baylor University, asked me to share this information with you: Texas needs to hear from people with disabilities and their families. We are launching a statewide research study unlike traditional surveys, centered on your real experiences and priorities, led by the Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing. Your voice is needed to help strengthen the programs, resources, and supports that shape the lives of the disability community across Texas. Learn more and sign up for the survey at www.raisingtexasvoices.org. (Her flyer is attached.)

Gayle
254.718.4197
Coordinator, Bell Area Parkinson's Support

06/10/2026

Announcement: BAPS Can Move Pilot Program

We had a full circle at Friday's meeting with 17 members attending. We have no meeting this week, but I'm sending this extra email so all members know you're invited to participate in BAPS Can Move. I initially announced Tuesday, June 9, as the first meeting. For good reason, THE DATE SLIPPED A DAY from Tuesday to Wednesday (June 10) to support Dr. Ozenne's available mornings. We have 7 or 8 exercise participants. That's enough for the pilot program, but Dr. Ozenne told us she can handle 12.
- If you want to join the pilot,
1) notify Luis (254.449.0143) or me, so we know to expect you
2) show up at 8 am Wednesday in the lobby of the 2-story Family Fitness Center in Lions Club Park on Stan Schlueter Loop in Killeen
3) wear appropriate shoes and clothes to walk to the Fitness Court between the Senior Center and Stan Schlueter Loop, exercise, and return to the Fitness Center
4) bring water - your bottle can be filled at fountains next to the Rec Center lobby. You do not need to bring a chair Wednesday. Restrooms are next to the lobby.
5) you do NOT need to be a member of the Senior Center or the Family Fitness Center
6) put a note on your calendar for Wednesday and Saturday morning from now until July 18. Some absences are OK, but we hope most can attend most sessions.
7) your smartphone if you want support in loading apps for the National Fitness Court and team coordination - optional
8) get ready for movement and fun

BAPS Can Move Background:
- Luis and Carmen Rivera, new members of BAPS this year, attended Dr. Eric Roden's Fitness That Fits presentation at the March 28 Symposium. Soon, Luis sent me Version 1 of the attached proposal. He included a recommendation that the proposal be reviewed by Dr. Rhoden or someone with similar credentials. I sent the proposal to Dr. Rhoden, who responded very quickly with praise for the proposal and some points to consider. Luis updated the proposal to create the attached Version 2. Click here to watch Dr. Rhoden's Fitness that Fits presentation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drGrNOJXEAU&t=2018s
- The City of Killeen Parks and Recreation Office is glad to have us as one of the groups that uses the National Fitness Court. They just want us to know we must welcome anyone who wants to use the court when we're there. We're OK to have music.
- That left the need to check with the Parkinson's Foundation to see if they would help us find a physical therapist trained to support those with Parkinson's Disease. The Parkinson's Foundation provided information about three therapists in the area. One is a professor I know at UMHB, one works in Temple, and the third is Makenna Ozenne, a therapist with Integrity Rehab in Copperas Cove. Makenna will volunteer her time to support our exercise sessions on Wednesday and Saturday from 8-9 am. Makenna is trained at LSVT BIG and supports those with Parkinson's. Makenna recently completed her Doctor of Physical Therapy from UMHB, so she's officially Dr. Ozenne.
- I recommend you read through Luis' excellent proposal. He has set us up for success by finding a free place to exercise that's nationally recognized, arranging appropriate review and support, and setting a realistic pilot period of 6 weeks/12 workouts.

Also from the meeting:
- Dr. Patrick Figueiredo, "Dr. Patrick", owner of FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Center, broke away from work to visit Friday's meeting. He provided a good summary of his business and responded to several excellent questions from members about insurance and more. FYZICAL is located at 200 Millers Crossing, Suite 102, just SW of Walgreens on FM 2410 in Harker Heights. One of the PT stations at FYZICAL is a track that runs along a section of the ceiling. This permits patients to walk or run with support from a harness. Wanda and Felix told us about how working out in the harness has helped Wanda build strength and balance. She was walking on the beach during their recent trip with no walker needed.

06/04/2026

Texas needs to hear from people with disabilities and their families. We are launching a statewide research study unlike traditional surveys, centered on your real experiences and priorities, led by the Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing. Your voice is needed to help strengthen the programs, resources, and supports that shape the lives of the disability community across Texas. Learn more and sign up for the survey at www.raisingtexasvoices.org. https://disability.research.baylor.edu/focus-areas/families/raising-texas-voices

06/02/2026

Hi BAPS-West Members and Guests,

We meet Friday afternoon (June 5) at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church fellowship hall at 206 W. Fowler Ave in Killeen at 2:30. Felix and Wanda Velazquez have coordinated with the owner of Fyzical Therapy in Harker Heights, where Wanda enjoys the freedom of being fitted with a harness that runs along a track in the ceiling to support her movement. We'll also share an update on the BAPS Can Move exercise program proposal created by Luis Rivera to support his wife, Canmen, and the full BAPS-West membership.

I know some will miss the meeting, so I'll provide some of the background information here. It's always best if you're able to attend and add to the discussion whenever possible. Three resources speak to the importance of movement.

1. Inyanga Health (www.inyangahealth.com) provided a handout of "Parkinson's: 12 Daily Essentials for our Parkinson's Symposium folders. I'll have copies on Friday, or you can find the information on Dr. Alex's website. Here are items 2 and 3:
- Move your body every day
- Use big movements to stay mobile

2. The recently published book The Parkinson's Plan: A New Path to Prevention and Treatment by Ray Dorsey, MD, MBA, and Michael S. Okun, MD, is full of information. One section near the end of the book is titled "THE PARKINSON'S 25".Here's their introduction to the list and one of the items

"Here are 25 actions to lower your risk of Parkinson's. For those with the disease, some may even slow progression. Most apply to all of us regardless of age, s*x, disability, or geography. These recommendations may be especially important for those with a family history of Parkinson's, those at genetic risk, or those who have been exposed to toxic chemicals. Let's all live longer, healthier lives and say good-bye to Parkinson's disease." and "21 - Exercise. In his best-selling book Outlive, Dr. Peter Attia wrote, "I now tell patients that exercise is, full stop and hands down, the best tool we have in the neurodegeneration prevention tool kit." Vigorous exercise can lower the risk of developing Parkinson's, and moving every day is also beneficial for those who already have the disease. In a recent study, aerobic exercise (stationary bike at least three times per week) reduced brain atrophy and stabilized disease progression."

3. World Parkinson's Congress in Phoenix, AZ last week. The attendees I've heard from mention how empowering and encouraging it is to be in the midst of such a large community united on a common focus.

One of Cindy Conte's report items to her fighters from the World Parkinson's Congress is relevant to our meeting's topic:
Four researchers shared their findings on the benefits of exercise for the human body -- not just those living with PD. The research shows the power of exercise -- and yet too many people spend their days sitting and being inactive. The following quote resonated with me:
"Perhaps most puzzling, why do so many of us fail to take advantage of the many apparent benefits of exercise, and what can be done to change this?"

4. Central Texas Parkinson's Symposium. You know I can't leave this list of resources without reminding you of the discussions of exercise at the March 28 Symposium. You can go to the Inyanga Health Channel on YouTube to find Eric Rhoden's presentation on Fitness that Fits. The new QR Code is attached by our logo!

More to discuss, and more new members to meet, when we get together Friday afternoon.

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

05/29/2026

The Central Texas Parkinson's Symposium videos are available on YouTube.com. Please see the attached link and QR Code for easy access. We hope the videos are a valuable resource for all; members, non-members, caregivers, and our group supporters.

05/26/2026

BAPS-Members,

I'm often amazed by the variety and depth of information shared during our People with Parkinson's discussions in just 90 minutes. On May 22, our 17 participants filled the Executive Conference Room table. Here are the notes I said I would send out, plus some other information I learned.

Music and Parkinson's. Two of our musician members didn't remember the information I shared about a UT professor who's studying musicians who have Parkinson's. If you sign or play an instrument, the study is just a call (512.232.2248) or email ([email protected]) away.

Another discussion topic was hallucinations. Ryan Reynolds discusses his father's hallucinations in the online Brain & Life magazine. Click here to see the article or hear the podcast. https://www.brainandlife.org/

One topic that resonated with many members was the impact of Parkinson's on vision. Alexa provided contact information for Kenneth Lio, ophthamologist, at the BSW Eye Center. I'll contact him about speaking to BAPS.

The Central Texas Parkinson's Symposium videos are serving their purpose of providing useful information to new BAPS members. I'll keep reminding you that the videos are also useful for all of us. You have much information about Parkinson's available to watch or listen to from many sources. I just ask that the videos be one information source you consider. You can CLICK HERE TO SEE THE 9 VIDEOS. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Central+Texas+Parkinson%27s+symposium "Dr. Alex" - Alexandria Armitage, is the Symposium co-host in a red jacket who introduces each video. She's also the Supportive Palliative Care nurse practicioner who provides 'whole body' support to many of our members.

Remember that our next time together as a full group is Friday, June 12. Dr. Ryan Coughlin, medical director at Clear Sky Rehab Hospital in Harker Heights near Sam''s Club, will talk with us briefly, then we'll have a full BAPS-North discussion. We should be in the large room with round tables. I've requested that room instead of the room with tables arranged in a large U. If you'd rather change back to the U room, I need feedback. (10 cooking class students plus 3 spouses will be at CTCOG on May 29).

Best wishes for a meaningful Memorial Day.

Gayle

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

05/19/2026

Hi BAPS-Members,

This week we're all at CTCOG, 2180 N. Main Street in Belton, starting at 2:30. Members with Parkinson's will gather in room A1 - the Executive Conference room. Caregivers and others will be nearby in D4. You can arrive as early as 2:10 to socialize, eat some snacks, and sign in. We have plenty of bottles of water. I'll bring some snack bars and roasted pea pods. The meeting ends at 4 pm.

I'll include additional information in this email, as some members are unable to attend and are requesting information by email. Of course, I can't capture here the benefit of our discussions.

1. Cooking Class on May 29 (2:30-4:00 at CTCOG kitchen) is a go with nine students. Two students needed to drop after the cutoff date. If you want to take their seats, I need to hear from you soon. Additional information can be found under events on our page.

2. Have a recliner to donate? Jonathan asked me to share that he found a place to rent. He's been gathering up furniture. A recliner may be the last major item he needs.

3. Brain & Life is now online only, but the content published by the American Academy of Neurology remains valuable and interesting. The attached flyer shows some of the items from the current edition. If interested, go to brainandlife.org to sign up for free access.

4. BAPS Education and Support reference. Many of you have contributed to our reference document about national and local resources for information and support. I caregivers may be gathering information about local assistance. BAPS members come from a wide range of backgrounds, hobbies, and skill sets. Add in our experiences, and we're a great source of information about life. Now, add the knowledge and experience members continue to gain about living with Parkinson's Disease. Capturing key information and keeping it up to date is important. Making the information easy to access is also critical. Information can be found in both PDF and JPEG formats.

5. George Losoya asked that we share this invitation with our Senior members: Partnering to Protect Symposium: Protecting Older Adults and Individuals with Disabilities, Tuesday, June 16, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, CTCOG, Belton. This symposium will focus on strengthening community awareness, collaboration, and protection efforts for older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout Central Texas. Who Should Attend: Garegivers and family members, Healthcare providers and social workers, Community organizations and advocates, Law enforcement professionals, and anyone interested in protecting vulnerable populations. Flyers are available at the CTCOG front desk or on the website, which also includes registration instructions.

6. BAPS page and group. The BAPS page is for public information about BAPS meetings and other local activities. The BAPS Facebook group is for BAPS members who have asked to be included and can be an excellent way to grow the community. Our page is reaching new people and is being read by more BAPS members each month. The group isn't used often yet. Consider following our page to be notified when updates are made. In addition to finding information that I send, Mark will provide timely updates on information members want to share with the group.

7. Beechbands. Eight Beechbands are in use for member assessments. That means I have two available for checkout by any interested members. If you haven't seen it, there is a sale going on right now for those interested in purchasing the Beechbands.

8. BAPS Guidelines and Schedule. I attached an unreadable version of the BAPS Guidelines in a recent email to you. A corrected version is attached. Please review the attached list of meetings through the summer and additional future events of special interest.

See you Friday afternoon!

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

05/19/2026

Save the date June 16th at 9:00; and don't forget to Register. Click the QR Code.

05/18/2026

https://www.silversneakers.com/blog/6-rules-exercising-parkinsons-disease/?fbclid=IwY2xjawR4B_JleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeNXSq4fcqU6py3BXPEB2shUhUCktRocrZMSwxpXmu-XniaT6QBESIWoqwnjg_aem_YeON00mFEG4TGR5y3o7Vtw

The right workout routine can slow the disease’s progression and improve quality of life. Here’s how.

05/13/2026

My attempt to create a post with an attachment didn't work. Let's see if I can attach a photo. I'm posting here because I attached a damaged version to my Sunday email.