Saturday, September 19, 2009

Parkinson's ping-pong ruling row

A woman with Parkinson's Disease has been banned from playing doubles at her table tennis club over fears she may injure her partner.

Lynne Tombs, 56, from Gloucestershire, has accused Tewkesbury University of the Third Age (U3A) of discrimination and said she feels like a "leper".

Some club members said they were afraid she may accidentally hit them as her condition can cause her arms to shake.



U3A denied discrimination and said she was welcome to play on quieter nights.

Ms Tombs said: "My arm movements might be a bit more erratic but I don't recall ever hitting anyone with a bat and I have never fallen over. I feel discriminated against because other people have fallen over who are more able-bodied.

"I think it's a misunderstood disease. When I'm not very well, people think I haven't taken my tablets. It fluctuates very quickly but I always make sure I'm OK for table tennis."

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