A Vancouver Island Pickleball Club has started a pilot program that aims to help people with ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚 disease.
A group of eight people with the neurodegenerative disease were first introduced to pickleball by the Parksville-based Oceanside Pickleball Club instructors Ernie Pallot and Sharon Fox on July 25.
Despite having to play when the heat was a bit intense at noon, participants savoured the experience and left feeling good and extremely appreciative of the opportunity. One of them was Duncan Watson, who was diagnosed with the disease 10 years ago.
B次元官网网址淚t was great to be out there,B次元官网网址� said Watson, who also attends the Rock Steady boxing program at the Fluid Fitness Studio that is geared towards helping people combat ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚. B次元官网网址淚t was a hot day. I was a bit wilted in the end but there are no ill effects the next day. So I am looking forward to our next sojourn with Ernie.B次元官网网址�
WatsonB次元官网网址檚 wife, Maire, was impressed with the program.
B次元官网网址淢y heart is full on what theyB次元官网网址檙e doing,B次元官网网址� said Maire. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e doing this on a volunteer basis. ItB次元官网网址檚 fantastic. People are not aware of this being given out to the community.B次元官网网址�
Pallot and Fox held basic lessons that included tossing the ball around, hand-throwing the ball and hitting the ball with each other simply to give them a good feel for the game.
During the course of the lessons, Pallot indicated they will keep a record of everything theyB次元官网网址檙e doing and also hand out self-assessment forms for participants to fill out and bring back for the next session.
B次元官网网址淭he reason why I want to do this as a pilot program is to have the information available so that we can make it known to the various associations and clubs across Canada, if itB次元官网网址檚 successful, that they can introduce it themselves,B次元官网网址� said Pallot, who added that Pickleball BC and Pickleball Canada are quite keen to learn more from the program.
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Pallot started the program in the spring. He was inspired by friend who was diagnosed with the disease and had to give up tennis but switched to pickleball.
B次元官网网址淗e was able to play pickleball for an additional 10 years,B次元官网网址� said Pallot. B次元官网网址淭he only reason he gave it up was his wife started asking him where he is getting the bruises from. He had to admit he was tripping and falling. So she made him give it up.B次元官网网址�
Pallot, also a pickleball instructor for the Regional District of Nanaimo, was also made aware some of the students that registered had ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚. He also learned that they attend the Rock Steady boxing program run by Doug Pickard, a strong supporter of ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚 disease research and volunteer facilitator of the Oceanside ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚 Disease Support Group.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 all about exercise and how important it is to people with ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚, diabetes or various ailments,B次元官网网址� said Pallot. B次元官网网址淓xercise is life extending. And that to me, means a lot especially if youB次元官网网址檝e got ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚 or a debilitating disease. ThatB次元官网网址檚 why I thought this is very worthwhile.B次元官网网址�
Pallot said they made sure the club covered all the grounds before starting the program. It includes having liability insurance and also making it a prerequisite for participants to get clearance from their doctors to participate.
B次元官网网址淥ur club has retired doctors who has helped us with the program as well as retired nurses,B次元官网网址� said Pallot. B次元官网网址淭hey were present during the initial lessons to observe and make sure weB次元官网网址檙e not working them hard, which we certainly didnB次元官网网址檛. They also made sure we gave them ample rest breaks.B次元官网网址�
Pallot said one of his objectives is to help the participants reach a level where they can join OPC Pickleball Club or any other club and be able to play as a novice player.
Maire said she is truly grateful for the community initiatives that helps people like her husband Duncan fight ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just amazing what they do and how theyB次元官网网址檙e impacting the lives of people with ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚,B次元官网网址� said Maire. B次元官网网址淭he social engagement. They talk about the various symptoms theyB次元官网网址檈 experiencing everyday. They watch each other, care for one another and encourage each other. They know, that theyB次元官网网址檝e got to push hard to try and stay mobile.B次元官网网址�
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