Pickleball Magazine 7-2 | Page 26

around the post

Joy and Health for All Ages and Abilities !

Our great sport graced the pages of the February / March 2022 edition of AARP Magazine , which has a circulation of 38.5 million ! What amazing exposure for pickleball among the members of the American Association of Retired Persons .

USA Pickleball COO Justin Maloof says , “ Pickleball Magazine is awesome for our members and the sport , but the general awareness and coverage pickleball received from the article in AARP Magazine is incredible ! It ’ s yet another example of how the sport continues to permeate the American mainstream .”
Last year we met and played pickleball with David Hochman , writer and longtime contributor for AARP , to talk about pickleball for his article “ Pickleball for Life ,” which chronicles his discovery and subsequent addiction to the sport .
For this issue ’ s column , we thought we ’ d share a few stories that didn ’ t make it into the article .
John Hall of Hiawassee , Georgia , started playing pickleball at 82 , with no racket sport experience . He never imagined he ’ d become involved in an active sport of any kind , let alone one as exhilarating and fun as pickleball .
“ It was unthinkable that one day I would compete in a national tournament like the US Open , let alone come away with a silver medal ,” says John . “ These are things you only dream about at my age . Pickleball has had a major impact in my life in so many positive ways , not just from a fitness point , but each day brings excitement , enthusiasm and zest for living I probably wouldn ’ t have if it weren ’ t for this amazing sport of ours .”
Amazing is right ! The recovery that Michael O ’ Leary , 67 , of Kennesaw , Georgia , has experienced because of pickleball is nothing short of a miracle . Six years ago , Michael was diagnosed with dementia and was dealing with cognitive and physical symptoms associated with the disease .
When we met up with him at the 2021 US Open , he was competing in a wheelchair , which he ’ s had for six years .
“ After the US Open , I had an appointment with a group of doctors in Naples who were doing a new type of stem cell treatment on people with various medical issues . Not long after , I noticed it was getting a little easier to walk with my cane , and I told my wife my head seemed clearer ,” Michael says . “ Within six weeks I was walking without a cane , my memory issues were gone , and I ’ m playing on foot once again !”
He added that playing pickleball in a wheelchair was one of the most important things that motivated him through the tough times . “ The love and support I received from my loving and tirelessly devoted wife , Cindy , and the amazing group of friends in my pickleball world have given me reason to push on !” Michael says . “ I have no regrets about the past six years and have learned so much about myself and others because of the experience . I have learned to understand and appreciate life . I know I have been given a new lease on life , and I am living it to the fullest !”
Pickleball is bringing joy , health , and fun to people of all ages and abilities ! •
Alex Hamner and Jennifer Lucore began playing and competing in pickleball in 2010 and have both been inducted into the Pickleball Hall of Fame . They are co-directors of training and development at Naples Pickleball Center , Pickleball Capital of the World . They are best known for winning Women ’ s Open Doubles at Nationals for four consecutive years ( 2011-2014 ). For more pickleball fun , visit Jennifer ’ s blog at allpickleball . com .
By Jennifer Lucore & Alex Hamner
From left to right : John Hall , Alex Hamner , Michael O ’ Leary , Jennifer Lucore and AARP contributor David Hochman .
24 TO SUBSCRIBE , CALL 412.914.8294 OR GO TO PICKLEBALLMAGAZINE . COM