Parkinson’s Guernsey encourages its members to exercise and socialise by offering a large range of weekly activities free for them to join.
Held at the Guernsey Table Tennis Centre, pickleball has been a popular activity on that list for more than a year, helping with both the mental and physical symptoms of the disease.
‘Doing daily exercise can slow down or stop the progression of the disease completely,’ said Melanie Hardouin, chief executive of Parkinson’s Guernsey.
Caused by a loss of nerve cells in the brain, Parkinson’s disease leads to a reduction of dopamine levels – the ‘feel-good’ hormone responsible for many important body functions including movement, memory, pleasure reward and motivation. Exercise boosts dopamine release.
Along with pickleball, the free-to-join activities currently on the members’ regular schedule include walking football, table tennis, boxing, yoga and exercise classes as well as sociable events such as coffee mornings, and chances to join other charity events taking place on the island such as Guernsey Mobility Let’s Go at Beau Sejour. Members have thrown themselves into them with enthusiasm.
Miss Hardouin said the events and activities have been helping members ‘fight the loneliness’ while the introduction of regular exercise – for some for the first time since their days at school – has improved their overall health. As a result, some members have been able to reduce their Parkinson’s medication.
‘We’ve got lots of members saying they feel fitter now than they did years ago, even before their diagnosis,’ she said. ‘One of our members was walking with a stick for a long time and now she’s running.’
Originating in America, pickleball gained a surge of popularity internationally and arrived in the island over a year ago.
Miss Hardouin decided to introduce it as an option available to members when it came to Guernsey, after playing it herself.
‘I have seen so many improvements in people since they started playing,’ she said.
Similar to table tennis but without the table, and played on a court, players use a paddle to hit a ‘very light’ plastic ball the size of a tennis ball. The game is accessible for players with all different levels of sporting abilities.
‘I think the fact that you’re mobilised, you’ve got plans and you’re doing sports – emotionally and mentally it’s so good. After pickleball we always go for a coffee and socialise. It’s very active and lively and it’s lovely to see everybody from different backgrounds, sharing some things together,’ said Miss Hardouin.
The charity currently has about 100 members – more than 20 of whom are now regular pickleball players.
‘The first time I came I could hardly hit a ball,’ said member and keen pickleballer Sue Whitlock.
‘But now I get a few rallies in. It’s good fun and really motivational, I feel more like doing stuff now than I think I’ve ever done.’
Mrs Whitlock said the sport has made her feel uplifted and introduced her to ‘new friends’ she would never have met otherwise.
‘I can only think of positive things, even to how I’m feeling inside. I mean, I’ve always been a bit of a laugher, but I find I’ve got more to laugh about now.’
Anyone with Parkinson’s wishing to give pickleball a go is encouraged to attend one of the regular trial sessions the charity has set up. To learn more about the charity and how to join, people can visit its website, parkinsons.org.gg.
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