22 January 2026 Charbonneau Villager

By LISA WISTHOFF

A few months ago, Donna, our head pro and I were holding a free pickleball clinic for our resident non-members. A very nice couple showed up to give it a try. They were fairly new to Charbonneau and the husband has Parkinson’ s. They were thinking that if he could manage it, they would join pickleball for the physical and social aspects of the game. Needless to say, they joined. Not long after that, the same thing happened two more times! This story is amazing because there ended up being three couples that joined with husbands who had Parkinson’ s. Donna and I were amazed. What are the odds of that? So, I did some research. There is actually a Pickleball for Parkinson’ s Foundation. This got me thinking. So, Donna and I put our heads together. What if we created a court time for people who have some mobility challenges and call it adaptive pickleball? This can give our Parkinson’ s members a chance to play a format that better fits their abilities with people in a similar situation. We met with their

wives and they were so excited with our offer that we all agreed to move forward. For several weeks now, Mondays from 2:30-4 p. m. they have their designated adaptive pickleball play time. Here are their stories:

The Edison Family wrote: We lived in Salem for over 30 years and decided it was time to be closer to family, good friends and OHSU because of Chris’ s Parkinson’ s so we moved to Charbonneau about a year and a half ago. In addition, we were looking for community— a place to make new friends and get involved with activities as we began our retirement chapter. Anna’ s dad played pickleball for years in Arizona and always raved about how fun it was. After we moved here we decided to give it a try— and started going to the beginners open play on Wednesdays. Chris has been battling Parkinson’ s disease for 22 years; he was diagnosed with young onset at age 41. Movement is important to coping with this disease. We both have loved playing pickleball and are enjoying the people we are meeting even more. We were excited when asked about participating in adaptive pickleball; it has been a very positive experience for us! Chris isn’ t able to play a whole game without sitting down and resting for a bit, and the adaptive session gives us a safe space to move a chair closer to the court line for him to sit, and the wonderful helpers and volunteers have been

From left to right: Chris Edison, Anna Edison, Susie Alfson, Gary Alfson.( COURTESY PHOTO: LISA WISTHOFF)

swapping in to play with the rest of us so he can rest. Of course, Chris does like to jump in and help score the winning points!

The Alfson Family wrote: Gary was diagnosed with Parkinson’ s disease 10 years ago and was an avid racketball player for 30 years. With pickleball being one of the activities offered here, it is a big plus for us as he is not able to play racketball anymore but was wanting to give pickleball a try. I on the other hand have not played a racket sport so it has given me, Susie, the opportunity to play a sport with Gary. We have met two other couples affected with Parkinson’ s and have enjoyed playing with them. Donna, and her fun and enthusiastic personality, offered to come up with an adaptive pickleball session. This is so appreciated and unbelievable to have just moved here and have modifications made to accommodate us and others so that they are able to play a racket sport and make life just a bit easier and enjoyable. There have been several staff and pickleball players willing to come and work with us. We can’ t thank all of you enough for the opportunity to play, learn and the warmth and friendliness that has been shared with us.

In the coming months, we will be hosting another free clinic and encourage those with mobility challenges to come give it a try. If you or someone you know,( must be a Charbonneau resident) would like to come and check it out, please contact Donna Roisom at dkroisom @ comcast. net.