The seeds of a session which could make a significant difference to those living with Parkinson’s Disease have been sown in a small community centre on the outskirts of Stockton.
Grangefield Community Centre hosted MFC Foundation’s first Parkinson’s Walking Football Session. A small but select gathering of those living the condition could see them selves as pioneers. They won’t, they’re a humble bunch who simply want to help others and to spread the word.
Rob sets the tone for the morning. “The 70 on the back of my shirt is my age, not my squad number,” he quips before starting a warm-up session for everyone. He reveals he used to, “play a bit.” Adding with a smile, “But the peak of my career came with Sheffield United Reserves.”
Still a decent standard, as it turns out is Richie, who has recently returned from Bilbao. “I was playing with a team called Pennie Parkies who are based in Yorkshire. We were one of a few teams from the UK invited to play alongside Bilbao. We won!”
Evidence of ability becomes clear when small-sided football takes over in the second half of a session which includes exercises and routines, which, explains Adrian, a coordinator with Tees Valley Parkinson’s Support Group, “Is great for balance, coordination and muscle strength. It’s also great cognitive therapy.
“I’ve seen people who were struggling to walk 50 yards with the aid of sticks, grow in confidence and walk up to half a mile unaided.”
It isn’t just the physical aspect of the exercise, essential for those with Parkinson’s. It’s the mental aspect too.
More than one of the participants reflects the weather outside, bright and sunny, when they say, “The crack is great. We know a lot of people who are maybe by themselves, socially isolated.
“This group helps each other, and we aim to grow and help as many as we can. It’s important to remember the voice box is a muscle. If it isn’t used it will weaken as much as any muscle.”
Many of this group made friends when playing with a group set up by Sunderland Foundation, playing there against supporters of Newcastle and Hartlepool as well as Sunderland. Together they have set up North East Parkies United and are looking to play games against other teams made up of Parkinson’s sufferers, such as a group from Stokesley, just to the south of Middlesbrough.
We return to where we started, with Rob, who says: “I didn’t want to play with the over-40s when I reached that age a while back and I didn’t want to be involved with this either. But you know what, I’m glad I did, with both groups. This condition is mentally and physically challenging. We all know that, we’re all going through the same thing. But the crack is great.”
If you would like to know more about MFC Foundation’s provision for Parkinson’s Walking Football, ring 01642 757674 between 9am and 5pm Monday through Friday, or e-mail enquiries@mfcfoundation.co.uk
