Table Tennis & Life: Ramblings of Someone Battling a Rare Disorder

Mudit Dalmia lives with a rare disorder. He shares his insights to surviving chronic disorders via a game of TT

"I would like to see another well articulated, inspirational piece of work from you soon. Your endeavor to help others should act opposite to the Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility,’’ wrote one of the readers after I posted a couple of articles on my battle with Isaac Syndrome, a rare disorder that can lead to muscular hyperactivity.

My previous two posts ‘My battle with Isaac Syndrome, and the struggle for a cure’ and ‘Isaac Syndrome: Here’s what you can learn from my experiences’ were attempts to pen down information on how to cope with daily life while battling a rare disorder. It was also my attempt to inspire patients who battle chronic disease – to tell them bailout is not an option, crawling back into your mother’s womb is a thought that needs to be left far behind.

I recently saw an epic 90’s film, Forrest Gump, again. But this time it took my imagination on a ride.

A couple of years ago I had taken up table tennis to help me deal with my workload and it turned out to be a rejuvenating experience. TT is a drug free high-vitality sport without the risk of collision injuries.

My racket had been gathering dust when I decided to pick it up again, with the intention to overcome various health setbacks… the only apprehension being my mum's best china.

Your Idea of Fun Will Change

So that’s how I found myself one fine day getting a TT table installed at my home, trying to overcome years of pain & stiffness in my muscles.

A close friend who had experience with sports medicine made an initial assessment of my hand movement. I visited a qualified table tennis specialist with the intention of not leaving any stone untouched and getting the right advice before taking up the sport. The only constant thought running in my head was to do my best.

Finally the day arrived when I decide to try out my new racket and the newly installed table.

I decided to wear an activity tracker band to record my personal metrics. I found the band to be way ahead of me in gauging my personality, and constantly pushing me to reach newer limits.

While recuperating from Isaac Syndrome, a disorder that leads to muscle hyperactivity, improving flexibility is a crucial part of the overall treatment regime.

All of a sudden, my muscle memory got activated and reran old episodes of playing TT with friends, where we roared, ran around like hooligans, and gobbled up our favorite food during breaks.

I focused on the ball bouncing towards me from the other side. The ball abruptly changed direction and I lost sight of it in a split second. I was indulging myself, thinking what I lacked in in talent I’d make up for it with stamina. Initially it was like dodging a bullet, finding myself on one side trying hard to beat my opponent. But I took it as another part of my therapy.

It’s a Battle, But I have No Intention of Giving Up

During playing sessions, I still have to take unwanted breaks. But slowly, resistance is building up; or at the very least the sport lets me feel like a warrior from time to time. Every shot I hit takes me closer to feeling a notch healthier.

Even as I write this, I am recollecting one of my sessions where I met my nightmare – that of having a severe back spasm that knocked me down for three days. NASA studies say table tennis is the most difficult sports to practice because of its complexity in the use of muscles. More than 80% muscles from feet to neck are used while playing the sport.

But my desire to bounce back was so powerful that I was back at the table on the fourth day.

Till date, my longest rally without a break has been around 6 minutes; those 6 minutes took me to a celestial plane, only to knock me out in the seventh minute.

As I come towards the end of my narration, I’m still trying to find a synergy between the sport and myself. Heroes in sports field and those battling chronic ailments have much in common.

My story raises a couple of interesting questions:-

• When and how did my game change for the better?
• Has my current setback, my battle with Isaac Syndrome, left me stronger than before?

The answer lies in keeping the learning process going and constantly building stronger experiences:

• Change is possible
• You can use today’s technology to your benefit
• Focus on your posture can reduce pain and increase the fun
• Taking up a sport can add to your disciplined lifestyle
• You have to keep re-educating yourself about your condition and modify your habits
• Understand the difference between what ‘you should’ and ‘can do’

The Shadow Analogy

I started to draw out analogies between table tennis & Isaac Syndrome. The conclusion was:

1. A person who is grateful whether in his defeat in a match or in his pain, is set to win & recover
2. There are two ways to conclude a match or battle a disease, you’re either in or out
3. Being deprived of a winning game or any suffering is just a temporary phenomenon; it might last a while, but if we quit, it becomes a habit & lasts forever
4. A thin red line -for us to move faster in life, situation needs to get out of control
5. Find something that gives you joy, and the joy will burn out the pain
6. Be in control: Your grip on the situation is important (whether in a game or life)

Though it currently seems stretched, but this article is a small step to ignite a national conversation around alternative, drug free therapy.

(Rachit Shah is 38-years-old and had been battling with Isaac Syndrome for last two years. He now wants to create awareness and to educate those who may be battling rare disorders.)