Pickleball Therapy for Parkinson’s Patients: In New York City, a new group called Pickleball for Parkinson’s is using the sport to help people with Parkinson’s disease feel better, move more, and connect with others. The group meets weekly on courts donated by City Pickle and was started by Terence Degnan, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2022.
A Growing Group with a Clear Goal
Pickleball for Parkinson’s began just 10 months ago and already welcomes around 30 players every week. Terence Degnan, a former real estate agent from Brooklyn, started the group after noticing how much the game helped his symptoms. He now works to bring this same experience to others with the disease.
“When I started to play and realized the benefits, the immediate benefits, that pickleball had on my symptoms, I wanted to spread the word to as many people with Parkinson’s as possible,” said Terence Degnan, after a two-hour session at City Pickle’s Central Park courts.
“There’s people in Washington and London, in California, in San Diego, there’s local groups that have asked to start their own local Pickleball for Parkinson’s. So my idea is to meet with a coach at every location, and a couple of players, people with Parkinson’s. And start small, because I was small. It started here at City Pickle. Now it’s, I think, a regular 30 people every week.” – (Terence Degnan)
Each weekly session lasts two hours. The first hour is a clinic led by Degnan or guest instructors. The second hour is for match play. During the colder months, the group plays at City Pickle’s Long Island City location. In warmer months, they meet at the Central Park courts. Recently, a second day of play was added at the Long Island City site. All sessions are free for participants.
A Safe Space for All Abilities
Pickleball for Parkinson’s mixes volunteers with players who have the disease. Some days, there are more volunteers than players. This is done on purpose to create a welcoming place where people don’t feel uncomfortable about their symptoms, such as shaky hands or unsteady walking.
The group includes people at different stages of Parkinson’s. Some players are quiet and need more help. Others are active and skilled, sometimes even better than the volunteers.
Gracie Evans, a Columbia University graduate student and volunteer, studies how movement helps people with Parkinson’s. She says pickleball helps the body and the mind.
“A lot of people’s expectations of people with Parkinson’s may be that they can’t do much, and I think this program is changing that, and perhaps changing the beliefs of people and their own abilities with Parkinson’s. And just some of what I’ve observed is that it’s as much of a mental improvement as it is a physical improvement as well.” – (Gracie Evans)
Janet Stark, who has lived with Parkinson’s for 13 years, attends nearly every week. She values the friendships and support she finds in the group.
“It’s more than a game of pickleball, it’s a game that involves community. It makes a big difference … it’s an important way for me to be a part of a community. I have a lot of friends, but this is different.” – (Janet Stark)
Pickleball Joins Other Movement Therapies
Exercise is one of the few proven ways to slow the symptoms of Parkinson’s. While medicine like Carbidopa Levodopa can help, it does not stop the disease. That’s why programs like Pickleball for Parkinson’s are becoming more popular.
Other physical activities used to help people with Parkinson’s include Rock Steady Boxing, ballroom dancing, and even adapted rock climbing. Now, pickleball is joining that list. The game challenges players in many ways: balance, hand-eye coordination, quick movements, and teamwork.
“Ideally, I would be able to travel as far and wide as possible and just plant the seed in different locations to start this,” said Terence Degnan, a DUPR–certified pickleball coach with City Pickle.
News in Brief: Pickleball Therapy for Parkinson’s Patients
Pickleball for Parkinson’s is helping people in New York City stay active and feel better. Started by Terence Degnan, the free program runs weekly with support from City Pickle. It offers a welcoming space, boosts mental and physical health, and is growing into a model for other cities.
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