Support – Information – Education – Awareness – Fundraising
A Community that Cares and Wants to Help
Who We Are
Welcome to the Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group!
The Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group (CPSG) is incorporated in South Carolina as a 501(c)3 non-profit. The mission of the Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group is to provide the Parkinson’s Community with a safe environment to obtain SUPPORT, INFORMATION, EDUCATION, create AWARENESS about Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and promote FUNDRAISING to further research for the cure of Parkinson’s Disease.
Our support group is located in the midlands of South Carolina; serving the counties of (but not limited to) Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Orangeburg, Newberry, Richland, Saluda, and Sumter for over 40 years!
Meetings are open to anyone regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex (including sexual orientation), religion, age or disability. We welcome anyone afflicted with Parkinson’s Disease; anyone who has an interest in Parkinson’s Disease; as well as, all visitors, family, friends, and your guests to our monthly meetings. There is no cost to attend our meetings.
We meet the 3rd Sunday of every month (except June) at 3:00 PM. Go here to find out more about our meeting place – a map – and more information about our meetings just for you!
You and your guests are always welcome! The more your family, friends, neighbors, business associates, or anyone who has an interest in Parkinson’s Disease can learn about Parkinson’s Disease, the more support they can provide. We also always welcome students from our universities and colleges – and professionals from the medical community.
“Every PD patient is unique and everything about his or her disease is specific to him or her and ONLY to him or her. PD has only one time – NOW, the present. The previous hours do not forecast how you are going to feel. The only thing that is predictable about this disease is its unpredictably.”~ by Rick Kramer and Margaret Tuchman
HOW WE HELP
SUPPORT GROUPS
Our Mission is to support people with Parkinson’s Disease, their families, and their care partners.
INFORMATION
We strive to bring resources, wellness, and relief to those individuals and families affected by Parkinson’s Disease.
EDUCATION
We provide respite care resources, awareness events, and exercise programs designed especially for people with Parkinson’s.
AWARENESS
We strive to create awareness about Parkinson’s Disease.
FUNDRAISING
We raise funds for national research efforts seeking better diagnosis, treatment, and a cure for Parkinson’s Disease.
Upcoming Events
“Life does not end with a Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis.” ~Author Unknown
The presentation will explain the services offered through the various programs at Central Midlands AAA and better understand who we are and what we do. The Presentation will cover: Assessment; Consumer Choice; Family Caregiver Support; Information and Referral Program; SHIP (Medicare); Legal Services; Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Attached below is Governor McMaster's proclamation: Official Governor Proclamation - (PDF)
Rescheduled from January, 2026 Would you like to help further research into Parkinson’s Disease and potentially help find new treatments – or possibly – eventually - a cure? We understand that this might be a difficult topic for some people. Some of us might be squeamish about thinking of donating our brains for scientific research. Please come to this meeting and get your questions answered so that you understand how important this research is – and the decision-making process, as well as what happens if you decide to help in this important research. The presentation will also cover…
Please save the date for our annual free Patient and Care Partner Educational Symposium, Saturday, May 2, 2026 - details to be posted soon!
Parkinson’s Disease as a “presumptive condition” for veterans, and why. Presumptive conditions are exempt from the standard proof requirements for service connection. Support for veterans through community groups. Our first and main speaker is Joy Kinney, MSR CCC-SLP. Joy Kinney is a Speech-Language Pathologist specializing in the treatment of adults with neurological disorders, including communication, swallowing, and cognitive symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, Parkinson’s, and the after-effects of COVID-19. She treats adult patients and has worked in and directed therapy programs in skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities, as well as in the settings of home health, the acute care…
Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group – Meeting June 21, 2026 Our support group historically does not meet in June, as the 3rd Sunday is Father’s Day. However, this year, our president, Karen Basso, has offered to be at our usual meeting location (Lexington Medical Park I Auditorium, 2728 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia, SC 29169) at 3 PM for anyone who might like to come and just talk with one another. This will not be structured, like our Open Forum meetings, it will simply be an opportunity for anyone who wishes to get together and talk about anything related to Parkinson’s Disease.…