In 1996, Dottie and her husband CW retired after 27 years of doing research engineering. Then they moved back home to SC. Not long after retirement, CW was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). They were fortunate to find a local informal PD group. This group provided kind, thoughtful support, and a wealth of useful information for negotiating the difficulties of living with PD. For 20 years, Dottie was CW’s care partner.

In early 2000, four couples of the PD group decided to establish a more formal PD support group – it was called the “Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group”. Dottie became the group’s first President and Co-Program Chair for 12 years. She continues to serve on the Board of Directors. One of Dottie’s life goals is ‘To Pay It Forward’ — to give back and contribute to the Parkinson’s Disease community much like what was given to her and CW by all the PD group members.

Karen N. Basso retired in January of 2018 to become a full-time care partner for her husband, Derek, who was a Parkinson’s patient who had also developed dementia. She had a 43-year career in the reinsurance industry, working in various capacities for major insurance companies in New York, Chicago, and Boston before being recruited in 1985 to join the Preferred Group, an insurance and reinsurance brokerage and consulting firm headquartered in Columbia, SC. When she retired, she was Senior Vice President and one of the principals of the firm.

Derek was diagnosed in 2010 with Parkinson’s Disease. Shortly after his diagnosis, they found the Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group, and Karen began volunteering with the group. She “raised her hand” in 2015 to serve as president when the long-time president, Dottie Gantt, had to step down to care for her husband. Derek died in August of 2020. Karen has three adult stepchildren and their spouses, seven grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters, all of whom she loves very much, and is very grateful to have them in her life.

“I am very interested in promoting education and research about Parkinson’s Disease and helping to provide a mutual support system for the members of the Parkinson’s community. I continue to serve as a way to honor Derek’s memory, and to give back to the support group, that helped us so much.”

Dennis’s wife, Carol, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2003, and in 2008 she retired from Do-It-Best Hardware Company in Lexington. They have both been very active in the Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group since her initial diagnosis. Dennis retired in 2015 after 12 years in Navy Nuclear Submarines, and 35 years at VC Summer Nuclear Plant in Jenkinsville, SC. Except for a few short-term contract jobs in the nuclear industry assisting new plants (including 1 ½ years in United Arab Emirates, from 2018-2020) he has dedicated his time as Carol’s principal caregiver, and volunteering at their church and the Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group.

Carol’s Parkinson’s has not progressed to the extent that occurs with many others, so Dennis and Carol have decided to help the Parkinson’s community as long as they are able. Carol was even able to travel to UAE and visit much of that side of the world with very little impact from the disease. Doctors are still trying to determine why her disease is so atypical, so to that end, when she is gone, her brain will be donated to science to further Parkinson’s research. Doctors hope to learn something from her lack of progression that will help others in the future.

Dennis is currently the Treasurer of the group, and Carol is a very active volunteer.
“I have learned a great deal about Parkinson’s Disease in my 20+ years with the Support Group, and will continue to help provide knowledge and support to those newly diagnosed with the disease. Every patient with this disease is traveling his or her own path, and each path is different. Knowledge helps to reduce the anxiety from the unknown.”

Will Harmon is a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), and a graduate of the University of South Carolina and the Medical University of South Carolina. He has been practicing physical therapy for 25 years. He and his son Kirk, also a DPT, own and operate Trek Physical Therapy & Assistive Applied Sciences in Irmo, SC. In his spare time, he is a car and truck enthusiast, a nature lover, and resides in Lexington County with his faithful companion, Cap, an Australian Cattle Dog. Will is a member of the Board of Directors of the Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group.

After seeing the challenges faced by a family member diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Will and his son Kirk, upon opening their own treatment facility, made the decision to specialize in providing physical therapy treatment to persons diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and other neuromuscular conditions. There are many treatments and techniques available today to make living with Parkinson’s disease easier for both the persons diagnosed, and their caregivers. Will feels it is of vital importance that this information get to those who need it, and efforts through vocation and volunteerism are two ways to do just that, and to serve those who have such needs.

Joy Kinney, MSR, CCC-SLP, is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and the founder of Speech-Language Pathology Associates of South Carolina, LLC. Specializing in adult neurological disorders, she provides evidence-based treatment for communication, swallowing, and cognitive challenges resulting from stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other conditions. Her career spans skilled nursing, rehab, home health, acute care, and outpatient settings, and she has been invited to speak at both ASHA and SCSHA conferences for her clinical leadership and expertise.

She was honored with the Frank R. Kleffner Clinical Career Award by SCSHA in 2021 and recognized among the Best of South Carolina in 2024. Ms. Kinney actively volunteers with the Columbia Parkinson’s Support Group and maintains licensure in South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia. She earned her MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the Medical University of South Carolina and her BA in Speech-Language Pathology from Columbia College. She holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology and is a proud member of ASHA.

Glenn Neeley was born and raised in South Carolina. He attended the University of South Carolina, and later retired from Eastman Chemical. After retirement, he worked for Systems and Computer Technology for seven years and the Lexington County Museum as a Historical Interpreter for ten years. Glenn is currently an artist.

In 2015, Glenn was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. In 2023, he was diagnosed with Essential Tremor with Parkinsonism.

Glenn has been married to Jeannette Leaphart Neeley for 59 years. They have three children, twelve grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

Glenn has always been active in the community and church. He served as a Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Cub Master for 27 years, and participated in 10 mission trips, volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army and the Boys and Girls Club.