Batman Brian

A Blog by Brian Carson

5 July 2022

This event took place in Cascais in Portugal.

The short blog details my experience at this event, what I, and I think all of the People with Parkinson’s (PWP) playing, got from the competition and what we expect to do next. I have used a lot of photographs in this blog as I think they describe the experience far better than my words. Apologies to those who are not in any of the photographs, there were just too many to include them all.

The competition was the brainchild of Damásio Caeiro and he has been dreaming of holding the first Portuguese Open since he attended the first Parkinson’s Table Tennis World Championship competition in New York in 2019.

Taking on this responsibility was a major undertaking and at times the strain has shown on Damásio as he dealt with issues and problems up to and during the event.

Some things went wrong some things were very good and some things were in between these two extremes. I am not going to dwell on these things in this blog as we who attended understand the challenge in holding this event, and Damásio has already starting working on what can be improved to make this event even better in 2023. I hope he gets some good support to arrange the next event as we want to see Damásio enjoying the experience with us, playing table tennis to the high level we all know he is capable of, and not in the role of planning and administering, as this is not his strength. He is a writer and a poet, not a project manager, although what he may lack in project management experience he certainly makes up for in his passion and commitment to this event, his TT Club, his home town, and the wider Parkinson’s Table Tennis Community.

The Location

Cascais proved to be a beautiful part of Portugal and lived up to everything Damásio said it would be. On finals day we had a later start as a sightseeing tour was arranged for a couple of hours to let us experience the full beauty of the area. We visited Devils Mouth – Boca do Inferno and drove along the Estrada Do Guincho to the Praia Pequena do Guincho. Which were areas of natural beauty and breathtaking to see.

We were located in three hotels around the area and travelled by coach each day to the competition. But this was not the only time we seen each other as a group. We came together in one of the hotels most nights to socialise and continue developing our friendship, despite some language difficulties these get togethers proved to be a key part of the experience.

The Event

We had a short opening ceremony with a local music group leading the players into the arena to assemble together to hear an event opening speech, followed by a brief explanation of the competition rules. I was given the honour of leading the players in this procession as I was the first player to register for the competition. I was also the sole representative from Scotland.

Compared to other Parkinson’s TT competitions the number of players at the Portuguese Open was small. Approximately 40 players from 12 countries took part. This was smaller than hoped but taking account the number of competitions now taking place and the travel and expense involved to get to the host countries, this number is a success in my view. PWP are choosing what is best for them not only based on travel and expense but also the need to factor in the level of their Parkinson’s and how they manage their treatment regime, their family and home commitments, and in some cases their employment.

We played TT for three days in this event. Three fantastic days where we won, we lost, we got tired, we got elated, maybe a little “off” when medication was not quite working, but the smiles and support and togetherness were always present.

This was a sporting event where the sport was secondary. The priority was being together as a community, sharing the common bond that we have through Parkinson’s, but more importantly being together, supporting each other, laughing together and crying together. I have never been one to show much emotion but as I attend each of these events I surprise myself every time by becoming more and more emotional as the depth of feeling I have for this community and this sport grows.

I will never forget the emotion shown by Damásio as he spoke at the presentation ceremony about his competition not being everything that he hoped for, only to be told by the players, families and officials in one voice that he had delivered a great event.

Nor will forget how my great friend Lars Rokitta and I held each other and cried after the presentation ceremony as we realised what we had just been part of, what our friendship means and our commitment to help this community through table tennis and any other means available.

After the presentation ceremony concluded we were taken to a local club, the Groupe Musical e Desportivo 31 de Janeiro de Manique de Baixo. Here we had a meal prepared by our hosts of local Sardines and meats served with lots of wine and accompanied by music and dancing. A great conclusion to the event.

What Next?

We now all return home to our “normal” lives, managing our Parkinson’s as best we can, play table tennis, and spread the word about exercise and in particular table tennis, and what it can mean for PWP. As I write I am travelling home from Portugal and this very evening we have a webinar taking place where Table Tennis England, supported by the Parkinson’s UK Scotland Parkinson’s Active team are encouraging TT coaches around the UK to become involved in bringing table tennis to more PWP.

For most of the players who attended this event the next focus is the Parkinson’s World Table Tennis Championships taking place in Pula in Croatia in October. For those in the UK we have the small matter of the UK Parkinson’s Table Tennis Championship’s taking place at Drumchapel in Glasgow on 7th August. This is only the second time this event has been held, the first time in Scotland and we at Parkinson’s Table Tennis Scotland are very proud to be hosting this competition. It is fully subscribed with all player slots taken. This will be another opportunity to come together as a community and further the cause of TT for PWP while having fun. I look forward to catching up with many friends at this event.

Parkinson’s Symptoms and Treatment.

I would normally include some information in these blogs on some of the 40 plus Parkinson’s symptoms, treatment and management of these and the benefits of exercise. I have excluded these for this blog only as I do not want to detract from trying to describe the fantastic experience at this competition. Normal service will resume in my next blog.

End

Brian Carson