Ping-Pong for Parkinson’s patients
When you're diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, one of the first things you're told is you need to stay active. That's why there are many activities designed to help the PD community keep their bodies and minds from degenerating.
Over the years, I’ve attended art and music therapy classes. I've worked on puzzles and card games. There are even boxing classes designed exclusively for people with Parkinson’s.
But, recently I’ve been reading about a new activity—Ping-pong for Parkinson’s. Who would have guessed this would be a thing, but it makes perfect sense. It helps with eye-hand coordination along with balance, especially if you're playing doubles.
In the Chicago area, there are two locations that hold Parkinson’s ping-pong events. One is at Lake Forrest Hospital, in the far north suburbs. You can also play in the city at a gym on the north side. That’s where I headed last Saturday to check out the ball and paddle scene.
What I found was a group of about twenty people with different stages of the disease. In the hour I was there, I didn't hear any talk about Parkinson’s. What I did see was some competitive games, along with a lot of camaraderie.
So let's cut to the chase—how did I do? Considering I haven't picked up a paddle in decades, not too bad. I wasn't the best player, but I was far from the worst. The doubles games were fun and a bit challenging. It's not easy to hit the ball and get out of the way so your partner can prepare to hit the next shot—especially for people with neurological and balance issues. The good news is no one was injured.
Am I going back? Definitely not every week, but I will occasionally. It was more fun than I thought is would be. I also have to check out the Lake Forrest Ping-pong scene, just to compare, plus it’s closer.
After being in the Parkinson’s world for twelve years, I thought I had seen it all. I never would have guessed the ping-pong would ever figure into a treatment, but I would have said the same thing about boxing. I can’t wait to find out what is next.