An interview with Rob Solomon of Ping Pong for Parkinson’s on June 8, 2023 by George Ackerman, Ph.D, J.D.
Please tell me a little about your background and what got you involved with awareness.
I was born in Canada and moved several decades ago to the US. I wanted to pursue a career in mental health counseling. I worked in the U.S. mostly in the mental health field in private practice.
I took up table tennis because I needed exercise. When I was working with a coach, they introduced me to another individual who had severe Parkinson’s symptoms. He asked me through the Portland group to start a program. I became an assistant coach in Ping Pong.
I have been working for over 5 years with the current program. I have seen amazing benefits even in just one day when working with individuals who sign up and participate.
Can you tell me more about Ping Pong for Parkinson’s?
When I got involved with PRO (Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon) I helped start the ping pong program. In just the last few months, I have joined with international groups to develop additional chapters with Ping Pong for Parkinson’s.
Ping Pong Parkinson’s Oregon Chapter is a program offered through the Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon.
When Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon was founded in 1980, the principles of peer support and the power of information were key to the mission, placing the client and client needs at the center of all interactions. Over the years, this community we serve has benefited immensely by the labors of dedicated volunteers and the partnerships of clinicians, researchers and service providers along the way.
PRO serves the residents of both Oregon and southern Washington from our offices in Beaverton, Eugene and Bend. What started as a single support group in 1980 has grown and flourished as visionary volunteers and instrumental philanthropists helped set direction and strategy to provide for the needs of thousands of individuals living with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.
We are governed by a volunteer board of directors and more than two hundred additional volunteers are active with our support groups, program planning, committee work, and office support.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
My passion is for the game of ping pong. I try to keep getting better and keep improving on my own skills from hand-eye coordination to many other aspects of the game. Also, when I saw the impact of the game on individuals with Parkinson’s, it hooked me for good.
What type of goals do individuals with Parkinson’s have when working with you?
Their primary goal appears to be to have fun and get exercise. Each area in turn helps them feel better both emotionally and physically.
What type of training and how long are the programs?
The programs are ongoing. The training is in the form of lessons. The coaching is individualized jut as Parkinson’s disease itself, individualized. Each person goes at their own pace.
What effect can ping pong have on an individual with Parkinson’s?
We should be doing more research on how ping pong affects Parkinson’s patients. The results have been subjective. Each person I spoke with stated they felt better after participating. My goals are to encourage fun and mutual support which helps them achieve their goals. When they are enjoying themselves, they keep coming back. In a selfish way, I also want a smile on my face because seeing them benefit drives me and encourages positive support.
What would you like to see as a future goal for your programs?
To generate awareness and research data about effectiveness that Ping Pong Parkinson’s can have on individuals. I would also like Ping Pong to be added to the Olympics. That would be a good idea to add it for exposure and reach so many more individuals through awareness.
What events do you participate in?
I am currently involved in various volunteer activities and working on my own table tennis skills. I am also helping Ping Pong Parkinson’s expand Internationally.
How does this also assist the caregivers?
I have one story to share. A gentleman was playing with us for some time. I was approached by his wife who told me her soft toned husband was at his doctor’s office one day. The doctor mentioned “ping pong is a fine sport” and her husband replied in a scream and then shouted, “it’s table tennis… not ping pong” and was so very proud and pleased and it gave him a great deal of joy.
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
Ping Pong Parkinson’s Oregon Chapter is run through https://www.parkinsonsresources.org/
Biography
Rob’s leadership skills and history of public service in Oregon include the following in Washington County:
- Chair of Beaverton’s Human Rights Commission (2006 to 2012)
- Chair of Washington County Human Rights Council (2013 to 2016)
- President, Washington County Public Affairs Forum (2014 to 2019)
- Candidate for Beaverton City Council in 2012
As an instructor over the past two decades, Rob taught courses in psychology, office politics, and self-help at South Puget Sound Community College, Mount Hood Community College, Portland Community College, and Marylhurst University. As a licensed mental health counselor for over 30 years, Rob worked in private practice and provided his professional services to business clients.
From 2019-2022 he was the founder and host of the podcast/radio show “ Inside Washington County”.