Pickleball has given people living with Parkinson’s disease in Norfolk a renewed sense of purpose, mobility and confidence, with one participant declaring that her wheelchair would remain “in the shed” after experiencing the benefits of the sport.
The free “Pickleball for Parkinson’s” sessions at Hingham Sports Center have been running for 10 weeks, attracting 16 participants. Recognized by Parkinson’s UK, the initiative aims to help people with the progressive neurological condition stay active while providing social interaction and mental stimulation.
For Gill Jeffrey, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s eight years ago, the impact has been life-changing.
“It’s helped tremendously. Now I’m not using a chair at all. I’m not using my sticks… I’m walking further, it’s just brilliant and it helps me every day,” Jeffrey said on BBC.
Before taking up pickleball, Jeffrey played bowls but had to stop when the condition affected her legs and she could no longer bend to pick up the ball. Following her diagnosis, she decided she “wanted to live” and refused to give up.
“It’s helped my legs tremendously — that’s really important to me,” she said.
“[The] The wheelchair is in the shed. It’s staying there. I am never using it to go on holiday again or anywhere. I don’t use the sticks.”
According to Parkinson’s UK, about 166,000 people in the UK live with the condition, which has more than 40 symptoms, including tremors, slowness of movement and rigidity.
While regular exercise cannot halt the progression of Parkinson’s, the charity describes it as a “key element” in managing the condition.
Dr Devendra Mahatme, a recently retired GP from Watton, said the sessions appeared to be making a difference.
“What we are seeing so far is people seem to be improving,” he said.
“We don’t know which part is benefitting them — whether it is the exercise, the well-being, socially and mixing or having a purpose to go to.
“Irrespective of that, what we are seeing is benefit and really we just want to keep going.”
Jonathan Burney, diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2016, described the diagnosis as a “shock”. Six weeks into his pickleball journey, he said the sport had helped him navigate difficult periods.
“I used to play bat and ball on the beach for hours with my children on summer holidays. The great thing about pickleball is it’s not that difficult,” he said.
“You can get to a stage of competence after you’ve only played two or three games… it’s a lot of fun as well.
“I would say it’s a great game for people struggling with illness like Parkinson’s.”
The program was started by Helen Grover after hearing reports from the United States of people with Parkinson’s becoming “more energized, more mobile, more balanced and generally having a good overall feel” through pickleball.
“I hope it inspires other people. I believe we are the only people offering these sessions specifically for people with Parkinson’s. I’d love for that to be expanded more widely across East Anglia,” she said.
