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The nonprofit organization is dedicated to providing awareness, education and community for everyone who has been touched by Parkinson's disease.

Let’s test your knowledge of Parkinson’s disease. When you picture someone with Parkinson’s, do you see an individual who might:

If you answered, “yes,” to all of the above, give yourself an A+.

Parkinson’s disease manifests itself differently in each individual who has been diagnosed with the disease; it progresses differently, and it responds differently to treatment, whether medicine, exercise or diet. No two individuals with Parkinson’s have exactly the same symptoms. (The disease affects between three and four in every 1,000 individuals between the ages of 20 and 70.)

While many with Parkinson’s disease are restricted in their activities, many also continue to lead rich, healthy lives, and some participate in many activities that seem to slow the progress of the disease. The Capital Area Parkinson’s Society (CAPS) was established in 1983 to respond to the various needs of this varied group – not only those with Parkinson’s, but also their care partners, friends, families and members of the professional community who are interested in Parkinson’s education. More than 380 Parkinson’s patients and their families and friends regularly receive the organization’s newsletter, and more than 100 regularly attend the organization’s monthly meetings.

CAPS meets monthly on the third Saturday at Riverbend Church from 2 to 4 p.m. A typical meeting opens with general announcements followed by a formal program presented by area neurologists or others involved in professional care or support for those with Parkinson’s – for example, nutritionists; geriatric nurses; and occupational, music or physical therapists. At approximately 3 p.m., those with Parkinson’s gather for an exercise class while their care partners and others meet for discussion. Finally, around 3:30, the groups come together again for a potluck meal. A few meetings each year are social events and well-attended roundtable discussions.

In addition to the organization’s newsletter and monthly meetings, CAPS sponsors a number of smaller Educational Outreach support groups to serve special needs. These include Early/Young Onset Parkinson’s, which is designed for those who have been diagnosed before the age of 50 (50 is a loose figure, though; the group is flexible about “young”). This group meets monthly at the Center for Music Therapy for exercise; bowls regularly (there are three teams, and their Team Dopamine bowling shirts were the hit of a recent statewide meeting for Young Onset Parkinson’s); and hosts a variety of other social events (the group’s leader is a respected wine merchant and Parkinson’s advocate). The group has approximately 60 active members. For more information, contact A. J. Hernandez at 512-671-0605 or ajhernandez61@gmail.com.

Solo with Parkinson’s is a group for those with the disease who live alone without a care partner. Solo meets monthly in members’ homes for lunch, conversation and occasional informal programs. Currently, the group is fostering creative projects, including plans for a 2012 calendar featuring 12 members of CAPS who are creating in a variety of media, including quilting, poetry writing, painting, jewelry making, woodcarving and so on. At the monthly meetings, Solo members share information on a variety of topics such as current research and exercise studies. There are approximately 15 active members. For more information, contact Lydia Blanchard at 512-445-2478 or lb08@txstate.edu

PD Educational Outreach support groups meet in Bastrop, Burnet, Lockhart, Georgetown and Querencia in Austin. In early 2011, a new group will start in East Austin. These groups were created for those who may have difficulty traveling to the meetings at Riverbend or who want to gather more often than once a month. Susie Lightfoot Scherr facilitates the groups; contact her at 512-345-1380 or lightfoot_78759@yahoo.com for more information.

Educational Outreach also occurs at various conferences, events and health fairs with multi-media presentations and talks by Kitty Hoskins. If you are interested in having information about CAPS presented at a future meeting or conference of your professional group, please contact Hoskins at 512-345-6408 or ekittyhoskins@yahoo.com. Additional activities include fundraisers such as garage sales and silent auctions that are all planned to support the CAPS mission: “to address the needs of persons with Parkinson’s disease, their care partners and the public by providing education, current information regarding research and resources, social interaction, emotional support and opportunities for physical activities and exercise.”

The CAPS office is generously provided by Parsons House at 1130 Camino La Costa, Austin, Texas 78752. CAPS is located in Room 320, and the phone number is 512-371-3373. The 2011 president of CAPS is Deborah Bryson, who can be reached at 512-864-0475. We welcome your support for and interest in CAPS, as well as your involvement with the Parkinson’s community.

CAPS is a nonprofit organization committed to serving the public. For more information, visit its website at www.capitalareaparkinson.org.