Morse Bettison, Ball Hospital Hospital hospice chaplain and Riverside Avenue Baptist Church minister was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in the early 1990's. His wife Anne, along with Maxine and Al Nusbaum, Dora and Warren Walburn, Rosemary and Paul Floyd formed Parkinson's Support Group of East Central Indiana and began monthly meetings at the church. Margaret Montano joined the group as treasurer in 1995 when others health declined. As Margaret turned 90 and the pandemic ensued she asked Jayne Rains to keep the group active. Nancy Shuman, person with PD, Anderson native and proud Rock Steady Boxer, joined Jayne in expanding community awareness and seeing the group grow. Riverside Avenue Baptist continues to provide group monthly meeting space for all touched by Parkinson's Disease. The group's mission continues to be providing support, education and PD awareness within the group and across East Central Indiana.
Ever evolving, the group has become a part of the Speech-Language Pathology Clinic at Ball State University. Dick and Helen Hoops, Ball State University retirees and longtime group participants, as well as Maria Williams-Hawkins would be proud to see group's continued growth and dedication to providing support, resources, information from local, state, national and worldwide sources.
