About Us

Randy was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease in 2005 at age 45. He is a Co-Director of Mission for Movement and is a member of the Outreach, Grants, Exercise and Art Gala teams. As needed, he participates in the other Mission for Movement teams. He is the Community Action Committee Leader for the Louisiana branch of the Davis Phinney Foundation and a member of the Southeast Region Parkinson’s Foundation – Grants Approval Committee. He is a member of and was the speaker for the 2022 International Conference for International Neuro Palliative Care Society (INPCS). 

B.J., diagnosed in 2013 at age 44, is a Co-director of Mission for Movement. He is also the Chairman of the Moving Day Team and Art Gala Team. He is a willing participant of any activity that brings persons with Parkinson’s and care partners together. He serves on the Parkinson’s Foundation’s Advisory Council and is an Advisory Council member of the Young Onset Parkinson’s Network (YOPN). He also serves as part of the community outreach for theQuiver.org.

Doug Draper began working with Mission for Movement in January 2022 when it was known as CAPAC. His wife, Linda, who has Parkinson’s, recruited him to provide communications support, which he did through the assistance of his public relations students at Louisiana State University. He retired from LSU in May 2024, but he will continue to work with LSU students to conduct community relations efforts for Mission for Movement. Prior to teaching at LSU, Doug served in communications roles for large corporations and the U.S. Air Force.

Jan, Professor, School of Kinesiology at Louisiana State University, is involved in research to improve training regimes and expand rehabilitation strategies for individuals with neurological deficits due to normal aging as well as with Parkinson’s Disease. She is the Chairman of the annual Louisiana Parkinson’s Conference and the Director of the LSU Modified Tai Chi program for older adults, including people with Parkinson’s Disease. She is a member of Mission for Movement’s Parkinson's Disease Studies Team and assists with the Grant Team.

Sally, diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2005, is the Coordinator of the Baton Rouge Parkinson’s Disease Support Group that meets at Bluebonnet Library. She is a Mission for Movement member at large and member of the Events Team.

Billy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2021. He is a member of the Events and Tabling Team and the Art Gala Team. Rose, Billy's care partner, is also a member of the Events and Tabling Team and the Art Gala Team.

Carmen has been care-partner to her husband since his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2013. She is currently serving as Secretary/Treasurer for Mission for Movement non-profit, She is administrator of the Mission for Movement Facebook page, webmaster of the Mission for Movement website, a member of the Communications Team and chairman of the Financial Oversite Committee. Carmen also manages the email communications and Facebook Page for the Movers and Shakers of Baton Rouge, a local support group for people with Parkinson's Disease, is in the Ambassador Program of Davis Phinney, and is a member of the Committee initiating Neuro-palliative Care for Newly Diagnosed patients