“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 Music and Sport
PingPongParkinson® was founded by Nenad Bach, singer- songwriter, composer, producer, peace activist and civil engineer, diagnosed with Parkinson in 2010. Though his doctor’s news was difficult, Nenad’s spirit was undeterred. Perhaps there was some beauty and benefit in slowing down a little. By 2015, worsening symptoms stopped Nenad from performing publicly on the guitar, a devastating blow to a lifelong passion.
Nenad’s journey with Parkinson took a pivotal turn when his friend Bob invited him to the Westchester Table Tennis Center. The next day, he moved and felt much better. He played again, and again felt better afterwards. So Nenad decided that this was not a coincidence and continued to play two to three times per week for several months. Within six months, Nenad resumed playing the guitar well enough to resume performing live and his neurologist confirmed the reversal of many of his symptoms.
“Music gave me the power to write a song about a sport that gave me back my music. It’s quite a story.”
Nenad was determined to share the benefits of ping pong with other people with Parkinson. So he created PingPongParkinson®, a community where people with Parkinson come together to play, feel better and support each other. Whilst exercise is essential for managing Parkinson, it can often feel boring. However, ping pong is fun and doesn’t require discipline. It also offers opportunities to develop sports skills and compete in tournaments and an annual PingPongParkinson World Championship! Worldwide, we are a strong community helping each other live joyful, hopeful and passionate lives with Parkinson.
“It started with a tremor, and it’s shaking up the world.”
ESPN-produced segment about Nenad Bach’s captivating story of learning to cope with Parkinson through ping pong.
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
With over 400 chapters in 31 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 and World Championships
Since 2019 we’ve been hosting yearly World Championships to bring the PPP community together for a week of healthy competition and camaraderie. We are actively advocating for Parkinson to be included in the Paralympic Games, working to remove barriers and reduce obstacles for people with Parkinson in the sports community.
Community and Support
Our global network of Pongers, volunteers, and supporters is a vibrant community where individuals with Parkinson can connect with others and share common ground. Beyond physical exercise, we provide a welcoming space where people can feel seen, encouraged, and supported.
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.
How Can I Get Involved?
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.