DALTON, Ga. (April 13, 2026) – April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, and Vitruvian Health is encouraging those in the community to learn about the disease and realize there is support available if needed.
A support group for people living with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers launched last year at Bradley Wellness Center, part of Hamilton Medical Center and Vitruvian Health. It meets on the first Thursday of every month from noon to 1 p.m.
The group is led by Kenneth Lowery, who retired as executive director of the Peeples Cancer Institute in 2023 and has lived with Parkinson’s for 11 years. Lowery said the group is designed for participants to share tips, resources and encouragement in a supportive environment – surrounded by people who understand. The group is designed to support people at every age and stage, from those newly diagnosed to patients who have lived with Parkinson’s for a long time.
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder with no known cure. Symptoms can vary widely among patients and can include tremors, difficulty speaking or swallowing, impaired balance and gait, and challenges with daily tasks such as buttoning clothing. Parkinson’s can be managed with medication, lifestyle changes and various therapies.
Sometimes, accepting the diagnosis is one of the most difficult hurdles.
Lowery said he first noticed a problem with his health when he was typing at work and realized one hand “was not working as it should.” He initially suspected a pinched nerve. Even after testing and a physician’s evaluation confirmed Parkinson’s, he struggled to accept the news.
“In reality, I was in denial for about nine years,” Lowery said. “I thought I had something else. Parkinson’s presents itself in so many ways.”
The support group offers broad-ranging help, including shared resources, discussion, peer connection and question-and-answer opportunities. Some meetings will feature presentations from medical or therapeutic experts, while others will focus more on practical or emotional support.
Lowery noted that attendees may be in very different stages of the disease and cautioned that seeing someone with advanced symptoms does not forecast an individual’s outcome. Support, he said, can make a meaningful difference both physically and mentally. Movement is critical to managing symptoms and slowing the progression of the disease.
The group is open to anyone, and there is no cost to attend. In addition to the support group, a Balance for Parkinson’s class meets twice a week at Bradley Wellness Center and is open to patients and their caregivers, who may attend together for a collective $25 per month, regardless of membership status.
Group fitness coordinator Laura Barnes said the Balance for Parkinson’s class includes exercises in balance, gait and mobility; an obstacle course; large motor movements; pattern coordination; and finger-movement exercises, among other activities. Each patient may bring one support person, who can either assist or participate alongside them. Patients must receive approval from physical therapy or their physician before joining the class.
Bradley Whiteside Rehab (same building as Bradley Wellness Center) offers physical therapy and occupational therapy services on-site. Patients work on large movements, fine motor skills and voice therapy.
Those interested in joining the support group are encouraged to register by calling 706-278-9355.