ABOUT US / HOW IT ALL BEGAN
In August, 1994, about six of us met at the home of Don and Dolly Black to organize a Parkinson’s Support Group in our area. We had all participated in the Fresno Parkinson’s Support Group, but we became 8-10 individuals traveling the distance between Visalia and Fresno once a month, so we decided there may be a need to organize a group in our area.
With the help of the Fresno group and national organizations, we did form a group in Visalia. We named ourselves the Visalia Area Parkinson’s Support Group and chose to meet the first Friday morning of the month. We have met continuously since our inception, at the Visalia United Methodist Church. We meet from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon. Our name has changed, however, using the name Tulare-Kings Parkinson’s Support Group for several years.
At our April, 2008, meeting we changed our name to the Central Valley Parkinson’s Support Group. I believe our first meeting had 13 people in attendance. We now have over 30 people at each meeting.
Our primary emphasis is on the loving, caring support of those with Parkinson’s Disease, their caregivers, their friends, and their families. Fellowship is enhanced by concluding our meetings with a light catered lunch. Those who come donate $3 a person, more or less.
Our primary purpose is to be a support group. We treasure the help anyone can give whenever he/she/or they can give it, but primarily we treasure the person.
We have no paid staff; board members do not hold their elected offices for a specified period of time. They hold their offices as long as that “works” for the individual, because Parkinson’s does not progress at specified rates. all of us who serve are volunteers.
The CVPSG informs its members about Parkinson’s through speakers, articles, and the national organizations. We encourage and welcome anyone interested to attend.
With the help of the Fresno group and national organizations, we did form a group in Visalia. We named ourselves the Visalia Area Parkinson’s Support Group and chose to meet the first Friday morning of the month. We have met continuously since our inception, at the Visalia United Methodist Church. We meet from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon. Our name has changed, however, using the name Tulare-Kings Parkinson’s Support Group for several years.
At our April, 2008, meeting we changed our name to the Central Valley Parkinson’s Support Group. I believe our first meeting had 13 people in attendance. We now have over 30 people at each meeting.
Our primary emphasis is on the loving, caring support of those with Parkinson’s Disease, their caregivers, their friends, and their families. Fellowship is enhanced by concluding our meetings with a light catered lunch. Those who come donate $3 a person, more or less.
Our primary purpose is to be a support group. We treasure the help anyone can give whenever he/she/or they can give it, but primarily we treasure the person.
We have no paid staff; board members do not hold their elected offices for a specified period of time. They hold their offices as long as that “works” for the individual, because Parkinson’s does not progress at specified rates. all of us who serve are volunteers.
The CVPSG informs its members about Parkinson’s through speakers, articles, and the national organizations. We encourage and welcome anyone interested to attend.