Two years ago, Terence Degnan received a life-altering diagnosis: early-onset Parkinson’s disease. His specialist at NYU Langone suggested exercise as part of a treatment plan, with activities promoting dopamine release, endorphin stimulation, and social interaction. In Terence’s search, he found pickleball, a sport that checked all these boxes, and more.
The Start Of Pickleball For Parkinsons
As he began playing regularly, he noticed not only improvements in his physical health but also a sense of community support he hadn’t anticipated. Inspired by these benefits, Degnan launched a movement to introduce pickleball to others living with Parkinson’s. His organization now holds free clinics and tournaments, raising funds for research and providing a place where participants find hope, strength, and connection.
Degnan’s journey illustrates how pickleball is more than a sport, it’s a transformative experience for many with Parkinson’s. Through his words, let’s explore the impacts of pickleball, the programs he leads, and how you can join the effort to support those with Parkinson’s.
Why Pickleball?
When Degnan first began playing, he was hesitant but hopeful. Though sports like boxing and dancing are known to reduce Parkinson’s symptoms, studies now indicate pickleball provides similar benefits. Having a friend introduce him to the game before his diagnosis, Degnan decided to give it a try after learning of his condition.
Degnan shares, “Pickleball has a profound effect on the reduction of Parkinson’s symptoms…but the social impact is crucial to a person struggling with PD’s mental health.” Often, individuals with Parkinson’s find themselves isolated, but through pickleball, Degnan says, “Outreach has been absolutely restorative. It won’t cure me, but it will considerably reduce the torment of fighting PD alone.”
With these impacts in mind, Degnan and CityPickle, led by Karen Baiker and Cat Lukas, established programs to support Parkinson’s research and offer free pickleball clinics. The benefits, they’ve found, are extensive.
Physical, Mental, and Social Benefits for People with Parkinson’s
One of the strongest benefits Degnan and other players have found in pickleball is the blend of physical, mental, and social stimulation. The game provides not only exercise but also a powerful sense of community, helping players combat both physical and emotional challenges associated with Parkinson’s.
Degnan notes that pickleball’s “social impact is crucial to a person struggling with PD’s mental health” since many people facing such a diagnosis turn inward, losing touch with friends and family. Pickleball’s accessible nature, paired with its tight-knit community, provides participants with an immediate sense of connection, which can be invaluable.
“The amount of love and attention I’ve witnessed in these programs cannot be articulated sufficiently through words,” Degnan shares, emphasizing the life-changing support that players find.
The Structure of a Pickleball for Parkinson’s Session
In City Pickle’s free pickleball clinics, the sessions are structured to suit the unique needs of those living with Parkinson’s. Each session starts with drills and skills development, focusing on safety, balance, and precision—key areas for those with Parkinson’s. Drills help players improve hand-eye coordination and court navigation, and exercises close to the net focus on fine motor skills and paddle control.
For players of all abilities, Degnan and his team offer adaptive courts and challenges, giving each player an experience that fits their skill level. Degnan emphasizes the importance of inclusivity, stating, “We encourage folks to stretch the notion of what can and cannot be accomplished on a pickleball court while always taking into consideration any individual’s physical limitations.”
The Power of Community and Support
One of the pillars of the Pickleball for Parkinsons initiative is its community-based support. Many participants are accompanied by caregivers and family members, who often become partners in the process. Degnan speaks to the power of community, stating, “It takes a lot of faith, grit, and legwork to pull anything this ambitious off. The marketers, tweeters, donators, and all the folks behind the scenes also foot the bill of what the term ‘caregiver’ actually means.”
Degnan feels endlessly grateful for the support he’s received, including his family, friends, and colleagues who’ve been instrumental in his journey. “I’d be remiss not to thank folks like my wife and daughter, Karen Baiker and Cat Lukas at CityPickle, Erica Guilliver for being the bones of the operation, Derek Sawer for hiring me as a coach, Denver Butson for suggesting pickleball in the first place, all of my healthcare team at NYU, and every pickleball partner I’ve won and lost with at Pier 2 in Brooklyn Bridge Park and in Hemlock Farms.” For Degnan, this community of supporters is more than a network, it’s really a lifeline.
Upcoming Event: November 21st at CityPickle in Long Island
As part of the ongoing effort to raise funds and spread awareness, CityPickle will host a Pickleball for Parkinsons event on November 21st in Long Island. This gathering will bring together community members, caregivers, and supporters to play, connect, and show support for Parkinson’s research.
With each event, the team aims to increase visibility and inspire others to join the cause. “Pickleball, for all of its trendiness, can transform lives,” Degnan says. For him, every person reached is another person who finds a way to combat Parkinson’s with dignity, community, and renewed hope.
How You Can Help
Are you inspired by Degnan’s story and looking for a way to make a difference? There are several ways to join the effort:
- Donate to Parkinson’s Research: Every contribution goes toward research efforts, such as those led by the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Donate here.
- Get Involved Locally: Volunteer at a clinic or bring a friend to experience the sport. Start a regular group for those who need a safe place to play and connect.
- Spread the Word: Share this article, reshare information on social media, or invite friends to a clinic. Help someone with Parkinson’s find a new way forward.
- Follow Pickleball for parkinsons on Facebook: Stay up-to-date with events, stories, and community updates by following us on Facebook. Follow us on Facebook here.
A Note from Terence Degnan
For Degnan, the impact of pickleball extends beyond physical health: it’s been a lifeline and a way to avoid facing the challenges of Parkinson’s alone. He feels endlessly grateful to those who have supported him, saying, “I was terrified about where my physical health was headed, and instead of chugging up that incline alone, folks not only picked up my mantle, but they built a whole friggin’ curriculum around it. For that, no amount of personal gratitude can suffice.”
As he looks to the future, Degnan’s message to others is simple: “You’ll be surprised at who comes out of the woodwork when you put out a hand—or a paddle, as the case may be.”
Join us in celebrating the lives changed by pickleball. We look forward to seeing you on the court.
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