Pickleball has become more than just a popular sport for Beaufort resident Scott Rider; it has become a vital part of managing his Parkinson’s disease, diagnosed 18 years ago. Despite taking 35 pills daily, Rider finds that playing pickleball helps him forget his condition and stay active. His determination and involvement have inspired others, leading him to develop a program in collaboration with the Medical University of South Carolina to certify coaches specifically trained to teach pickleball to people with Parkinson’s.
Rider’s advocacy has also attracted support from Selkirk, a pickleball equipment brand that produces custom paddles featuring the Parkinson’s Foundation logo and donates a portion of sales to the foundation. Through these efforts, Rider promotes exercise as a powerful tool against Parkinson’s, living by his motto, “I will never quit,” as he continues to paddle through the challenges of the disease.
