After Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, affecting approximately 16,000 South Carolinians, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation Prevalence Project. While medical treatments are available and research is ongoing, there is no cure.
Since its inception in 2005, the Greenville Area Parkinson Society has served thousands of people living with Parkinson’s disease through exercise-based programs, care partner support groups, expert speaker seminars, social events and ongoing interfacing with the medical community.
Shannon Spurrier, executive director, said GAPS offers 26 regular programs per month — 312 per year — in addition to two annual special events.
“GAPS is the only organization serving the needs of people living with Parkinson’s disease in the Upstate of South Carolina,” Spurrier said. “Our programs benefit people living with PD, their care partners, and families and are free to GAPS members and any attendees.”
GAPS in Motion movement/balance classes are held weekly in Greenville and Clemson. This year, in addition to traditional exercise classes, GAPS has added tai chi practice and adaptive golf with instructors from Carolina Adaptive Golf. Members can also participate from home in virtual PD on the Move classes with ballet dancer Alex Tressor.
Support groups provide an opportunity for people to meet regularly for mutual support, share ideas and exchange coping skills with one another in matters relating to living with Parkinson’s.
Monthly GAPS Social nights are a time for members and friends to gather for fun with the group’s board, staff and volunteers. GAPS Coffee Talk is an educational series led by area experts in insurance, Medicare, home health, mindfulness, nutrition and other relevant topics.
Jeff Sholl, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2023, and his wife, Lynn, are active members who participate in several GAPS programs.
“We have met people in all stages of the disease who are still enjoying life,” Jeff Sholl said. “Our GAPS community has been such a blessing and the programs we attend like tai chi, Golf with GAPS, support groups and monthly socials provide us with support to navigate our PD journey. In our opinion, GAPS has been a godsend, and we have found hope that Parkinson’s is not a roadblock for a bright future.”
With only two employees and 54 volunteers, GAPS serves 350 active and over 1,000 total members living with Parkinson’s disease in Greenville, Anderson, Clemson and Spartanburg. New members are often referred by neurology practices or learn about GAPS from its outreach programs at churches and senior centers.
“Our impact is big. We have an average of 25 new members a month,” Spurrier said. “We’re 100% local, and we don’t receive any funding from outside the community.”
A 2024 Capacity Building Grant from the Community Foundation of Greenville is funding a rebuild of the nonprofit’s website, expected to be completed by year’s end.
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GAPS will host its 2024 Water Cooler Classic 6–9 p.m. Nov. 7 at Zen. The evening includes a nine-hole putting course, longest putt competition, food, cocktails and friendly competition.
For more information, visit gapsonline.org.
Visit cfgreenville.org to learn more about the Community Foundation of Greenville.
