“We didn’t conquer Parkinson, but we conquered the fear of Parkinson.”
– Nenad Bach, Founder of PingPongParkinson®
Our Founder’s Story
“One Passion Feeds Another, and Life is Transformed by the Power of Sport and Music.”
PingPongParkinson® was founded by Nenad Bach, singer- songwriter, composer, producer, peace activist and civil engineer, who performed with Pavarotti, Bono and the Edge and many others, diagnosed with Parkinson in 2010. Though news of his condition was difficult to receive, Nenad’s spirit was undeterred - he uncovered beauty and strength in slowing down a little. But when Parkinson symptoms stopped Nenad from performing as he used to on his guitar, it was a devastating blow to a lifelong passion and career.
Nenad’s journey took a pivotal turn when his friend Bob invited him to the Westchester Table Tennis Center in Pleasantville, New York, in 2015. He played for fun but was surprised to discover that he moved better and felt better. He played again, and again felt better in numerous ways. Nenad decided this was no coincidence and played two to three times per week for several months. After that, Nenad found he could play the guitar again, well enough to resume performing. His neurologist confirmed many symptoms had reversed.
“Music gave me the power to write a song about a sport that gave me back my music. That’s quite a story.”
Nenad founded PingPongParkinson® so he could share the benefits of ping pong with others. The first session was held at Westchester Table Tennis Center in Pleasantville, New York, on March 1st, 2017. Now, we are a worldwide network of chapters where people with Parkinson come together to play, feel better and support each other. PingPongParkinson International guides the PPP culture, development of underpinning session design and chapter leadership, research and advocacy globally.
More on Nenad’s story
Everything is Forever,
a film by Victor Zimet
“It started with a tremor, and it’s shaking up the world.”
Find out more about Nenad’s journey and how he and many others have come to embrace sport, music and their diagnosis: enjoy this captivating ESPN feature.
Our Mission
To create a global sports movement that is inclusive and supportive of people with a Parkinson Diagnosis.
How We Carry Out Our Mission
Ping Pong Sessions, Tournaments and Events
With over 500 chapters in 36 countries hosting PingPongParkinson® sessions, we are realising our vision of reaching as many people with Parkinson as possible through the life-changing benefits of ping pong. Tournaments of all sizes present opportunities to connect with a wider community, visit new places and rise to new challenges. We raise awareness at conferences and community events and we advocate for Parkinson to be included in Para Sport and the Paralympic Games.
Our guiding team members: the Executive Team and the Assembly
PingPongParkinson International is guided by volunteers in leadership roles: the Executive Team and the Assembly, who work together to steer the direction of the not-for-profit association and its global mission and widespread activities. For more information about our leadership, please click below.
Community and Support
Our global network of participants, volunteers, and supporters is a vibrant, informed and engaged community. Beyond physical activities, we provide a welcoming space where people are encouraged, respected and supported. A network of helpers, ambassadors and sponsors also help us grow our community through their unique strengths and initiatives. Find out more about our supporters:
How Can I Get Involved?
We believe that strength comes in numbers—and we’d love for you to be a part of our journey.
Our goal is to reach as many people with PD as possible around the world. We encourage you to start your own local PPP chapter and watch it flourish into a strong community of people looking for new spaces to heal. We get many requests from people looking to attend PingPongParkinson® sessions in cities and towns we have not yet reached. With our guidance, you can make a massive difference in their lives.
Support our Mission
Your donation helps fund free and low-cost ping pong sessions for individuals living with Parkinson, expand PingPongParkinson® chapters worldwide, and support our efforts to advance clinical research that brings us closer to improving lives through movement and community.