An eight-week course tailored for Parkinson’s patients concluded on Monday. The program aimed to teach them the game of pickleball as part of an initiative called Pickleball for Parkinson’s.

“A Perfect Pairing”

Pickleball for Parkinson’s is a collaboration involving Destination Rehab, a nonprofit in Central Oregon specializing in assisting individuals with neurological conditions like strokes, Parkinson’s, MS, and brain injuries.

Carol-Ann Nelson, founder of Destination Rehab, told Dylan Anderman of ktvz.com, “Pickleball requires so much movement and stepping and reaching that we thought it was a perfect pairing to try and work with people with Parkinson’s to get them moving better, help them feel more confident, as well as teaching them a fun new activity that they could potentially do with friends and family. ”

Oregon State University (OSU)-Cascades partnered with Destination Rehab, along with four physical therapy doctorate candidates, to investigate the effects of a pickleball wellness program on the quality of life and balance of those with Parkinson’s. 

The students are actively researching this impact.

Getting To Know Each Other

Michelle Peterschimdt, one of the OSU-Cascade students involved, talked enthusiastically about the research and the connections forming among participants:

“So it’s been really cool to see them come together as a community,” she remarked. “There is seven participants in our group, and it’s just been really fun to see them get to know each other, and really hoping that they continue to play pickleball and continue this community after this program is done. ”

A class member, Paul Taylor, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s earlier this year and was curious to know more when he found out about the study: “And I like playing pickleball, and I heard about the study,” he said. “And so I decided to participate and see if I could learn anything about myself and the condition.”

Read more about how pickleball is helping people with Parkinson’s in another of our articles here.

Challenges And Triumphs

Taylor has noticed that being around others with Parkinson’s and physical therapists, he can get a good understanding of the things he can and can’t do.

He shared, “I value the chance to meet others grappling with Parkinson’s, as everyone’s experience differs. It’s enlightening to hear about others’ challenges and triumphs, shedding light on issues one might not have realized were affecting them.”

The Pickleball Zone in Bend, Oregon, is sponsoring these sessions. The second program, also spanning eight weeks, will commence next month.

About Destination Rehab

Destination Rehab focuses on bolstering confidence, health, and outdoor exploration in the stunning setting of Central Oregon. 

Since 2016, it has served adults dealing with various conditions, including strokes, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, spinal cord injury, and cerebral palsy, among others, operating as a 501(c)3 Nonprofit in Central Oregon.

For further details or to get in touch, click on this link.

What It Does

Destination Rehab consists of board-certified neurologic physical therapists passionate about getting people into the great outdoors with improved physical ability, movement, and confidence.

They offer life-changing individual sessions and group programs.

Click here to find out more about the staff.

Destination Rehab also runs a series of exciting programs, including:

• Adventure Group– summer activities for outdoor adventurers.
• PEAK Fitness– group fitness and health education.
• Rock Climbing for Health- weekly climbing and fitness group.
• Pickleball for Parkinson’s- Pickleball skills and weekly play.
• Adventure Retreat– vacation with a purpose.
• Outdoor Physical Therapy– one-on-one with a Neuro trained PT

About The Pickleball Zone

For the last several years, the 16 world-class outdoor courts at Pine Nursery have been the ideal fit for the Pickleball craze in Bend. Yet, the need for an indoor facility to use during the winter season needed to be addressed.

Dream Becoming Reality

Enter Werner Zehnder and Butch Roberts, co-owners of Pickleball Zone Bend (PZB). Thanks to these two men with a passion for the sport of Pickleball, every pickleballer’s dream for a state-of-the-art indoor facility and training academy came to fruition.

After years of planning, Pickleball Zone Bend opened its doors on October 29th, 2018. This 55,000-square-foot facility hosts ​the Trampoline Zone and Adventure Park on the ground floor and eight dedicated pickleball courts on the third floor. The Players’ Lounge on the fourth floor adds comfort and mountainous views. 

The business model for the Pickleball Zone is a balance of Memberships and individual court rental. In addition, its Oregon Pickleball Academy offers lessons, clinics, and camps.

Reserve your court here.

“Reverse Snowbirds”

Presently, annual memberships are waitlisted, but a limited number of memberships will become available as others move or do not renew. The club also features a limited number of “Reverse Snowbirds” Memberships (May 15th to October 15th), which may be available.

Please fill out the membership request form If you are interested in joining our membership.

Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8.30 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 8.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.

Please contact the club If you have any questions or if you would like more information.