‘There is hope:’ Georgians with Parkinson’s use pickleball as a form of advocacy

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - It is the first day of Parkinson’s Awareness Month and men and women with the brain disease are showing their communities what their lives are truly like. One group of people is using the game of Pickleball to inspire.

Members said they play for themselves but inevitably end up conveying a larger message to the community.

There are many things Parkinson’s will try and take away over time.

“He is one of the most positive people that I know. He is someone I can talk to. We have spent a lot of time over the years with sports, he coached my soccer teams,” said Megan Mindel, Eric Mindel’s daughter.

Parkinson’s is a disorder that affects the nervous system. It is progressive.

“What does your relationship with your daughters mean to you?” asked Atlanta News First Reporter Sawyer Buccy.

“Oh everything, they are the reason I continue to fight,” said Eric Mindel.

Some things exist despite Parkinson’s, those are the things to focus on. Studies show that if you have Parkinson’s regular exercise might help you improve symptoms.

This crew comes to the pickleball courts to play with other men and women who have a Parkinson’s’ diagnosis. Megan comes here to support her dad.

“It has been good to be a part of things like this or go with him to classes at the gym or to pickleball or to other Parkinson’s events to meet his people and meet the people who understand what he is going through in a way that we can’t,” said Megan.

The crew is from the Center for Movement Challenges in Sandy Springs. Parkinson’s has no place here on the court. Despite a progressive and debilitating disease, these men and women can take to the courts, they can focus on their abilities. They play for their own health but the fact that they are here, playing at all, with their diagnosis, sends a powerful message to the community about living with this disease... there is hope.