Finding Peace in the Ping Pong Club 🏓

Mark DeCarteret, a prolific poet and author of nine books, has found a unique way to step away from the pressures of writing and the challenges of Parkinson’s disease: ping pong.

https://youtu.be/XfhqQaSCCJ8

Whether he’s practicing in his cellar with his wife or playing at the Seacoast Parkinson’s Community Ping Pong Club—a club he founded—Mark uses the sport to find focus and relaxation.

The Magic of the Game

For Mark and the club members, ping pong isn't just about winning. Everyone brings unique motivation:

• A Timeless Skill: Many members haven’t played in 50 years but are gratified to find they can still keep a rally going.

• Ping Pong Aesthetics: Dan Tobin reveals he’d rather hit a "perfect spin" than win a game.

• Healing through Connection: Beyond the physical benefits, the social interaction and laughter provide a powerful distraction from life's stresses.

  
  

The club is a testament to the joy and healing that come from simple, shared activities. As Mark says, it’s a way to "get outside of your mind" and find a moment of pure fun.

Watch the full story here: Scenes from the Ping Pong Club