Pickleball Boosts Parkinson’s Patient’s Mobility: Larry Graves, a 73-year-old resident of Redmond, has been grappling with Parkinson’s disease for over 20 years. Diagnosed in 2008, Graves had begun experiencing symptoms as early as 2004, which he initially ignored. By early this year, his condition had severely impacted his movement, resulting in rigid steps and diminished motor skills.
“Parkinson’s is a tough thing to describe. I was diagnosed in 2008, but I started showing symptoms about four years before that, that I just kind of ignored and covered up.” – (Graves)
The Impact of Pickleball
In February, Graves discovered pickleball through Destination Rehab, a local non-profit organization focused on helping adults with neurological diseases. The sport has had a transformative effect on his condition.
“We just fell in love with the game. It’s helped me so much with coordination and movement, which is a big issue with Parkinson’s.” – (Graves)
Amy Briley from Destination Rehab noted,
“When I first met Larry, he was making small, short steps. Now he’s making much bigger steps, bigger movement patterns. He’s faster on his feet. He’s more agile. I think his aerobic capacity is stronger.”
Regular Play at Premier Pickleball Club
Larry and his wife now frequent the Premier Pickleball Club in Redmond three to four days a week. This consistent engagement has yielded noticeable improvements in his skills and overall mobility.
“I started developing more and more skill, better control of my balance, better control of my movement. I’ve gone from being very slow at playing pickleball to being able to make a few quick moves and cover some space quickly. So it’s really helped with my overall coordination and mobility.” – (Graves)
A Message of Hope
Despite only a few months of playing, Graves began to notice significant improvements within two months. He advises others with Parkinson’s to remain persistent and seek appropriate medical and therapeutic care.
“My recommendation to anyone who has Parkinson’s is just to never give up. Make sure you get the right medical care. The right physical therapy. Just never give up.” – (Graves)
Every pickleball session enhances his motor skills and reinforces how far he has come in managing his condition.
News in Brief: Pickleball Boosts Parkinson’s Patient’s Mobility
Larry Graves, a Redmond resident with Parkinson’s disease, has seen significant improvements in his movement and coordination through pickleball. Diagnosed in 2008, Graves began experiencing symptoms years earlier but found relief after taking up the sport in February. His progress has been supported by Destination Rehab, with noticeable enhancements in his agility and motor skills.
Graves plays at Premier Pickleball Club several times a week and encourages others with Parkinson’s to remain hopeful and pursue effective treatment.
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