Parkinson’s Group Offers Support in Webster County

Published 5:09 pm Friday, November 6, 2026

By Joe Rios

For families dealing with Parkinson’s disease, the challenges can go far beyond the shaking and tremors most people associate with the condition. In Webster County, an organization works to ensure families don’t have to face those challenges alone.

Cassie Locke, executive administrator of Parkinson’s Group of the Ozarks (PGO), recently visited the Marshfield Rotary Club to share information about the disease and the services available to families throughout southwest Missouri.

The Springfield-based nonprofit has served the Ozarks for more than 25 years, offering support groups, wellness programs and educational opportunities for those living with Parkinson’s and their families.

Locke said one of the organization’s biggest challenges is simply making sure people know help is available.

“We’re kind of a hidden gem until you need our services,” she said.

Originally from Branson, Locke moved to the Springfield area in her twenties to attend college and has called the area home ever since.

Her interest in working with older adults started long before she joined the organization.

Growing up, she enjoyed spending time with her grandparents, writing letters to one grandmother and joining another for activities at senior centers, including dancing.

Those relationships helped shape her interest in working with older adults and eventually led her to the work she does today.

During her Rotary presentation, Locke explained that Parkinson’s is a neurological disease involving the loss of brain cells that produce dopamine, a chemical that helps control movement.

Dopamine plays a major role in coordination, balance, and muscle movement. As the disease progresses, these abilities can become harder to control.

But Locke emphasized that Parkinson’s involves much more than the visible symptoms people often recognize.

“Parkinson’s disease can often be misunderstood,” she said.

While shaking and resting tremors are commonly associated with the disease, Locke said families also deal with symptoms that aren’t always easy to recognize.

Those can include digestive problems, trouble sleeping, and changes in thinking or memory.

She explained that these less-visible symptoms can sometimes make Parkinson’s difficult to identify, with some patients receiving other diagnoses before learning they have the disease.

That’s one reason education and awareness remain important parts of the organization’s work.

For Webster County residents, Parkinson’s Group of the Ozarks offers access to support groups, sponsored wellness classes, and educational resources.

Locke said the wellness programs are designed to help individuals and families stay active without worrying about participation costs.

The organization also works to connect families with others who understand the challenges of living with Parkinson’s.

And while PGO is based in Springfield, its programs and resources are available to people throughout the Ozarks.

Locke hopes more families in Marshfield and surrounding communities will take advantage of those opportunities.

The organization also welcomes volunteers.

Special events are among its biggest volunteer needs, including a fair planned for April, which is recognized as Parkinson’s Awareness Month.

Locke said volunteers are also needed for other events held throughout the year.

For those interested in learning more, the organization’s website includes information about support groups, wellness classes and upcoming activities.

Residents can visit ParkinsonsGroup.org or find Parkinson’s Group of the Ozarks on Facebook.

Locke said the message she hopes people take away is that Parkinson’s affects more than a person’s ability to move. Understanding the full range of symptoms can make a difference for individuals and the families supporting them.

With resources available close to home, Webster County residents living with the disease have somewhere to turn for information, encouragement, and support.