Foundation of Light’s Neurological Walking Football participants united by strength
The Foundation of Light’s Neurological Walking Football provision started as a weekly one-hour football session but it soon became the hub for those with neurological conditions to unite together.
Now hosting around 15 regular attendees, the team call themsleves the North East Parkies United with participants travelling from around the North-East to be part of it.
“After coming along for a session, I immediately loved the community spirt and physical activity,” said participant Adrian Wrigley who travels from Billingham to Sunderland weekly to take part.
“I was formally diagnosed with Parkinson’s four years ago and I have heavy tremors on my left-hand side and starting on the right.
“I’ve actually had some symptoms for the last ten years or so undiagnosed.
“It’s progressing, but I’m trying to stay as active and positive as possible. In keeping your body moving and the neurological network active, it can help slow the decline.
“There’s so many positive benefits to these sessions, I’ve never looked back really.”
Following the hour of football games and drills, participants head to the Beacon of Light café to socialise.
Adrian also enjoys this aspect of the programme, adding: “We always have a coffee and what becomes a bit of a whinge together.
“We match up our symptoms, support networks, and talk about activities going on.
“The social aspects, keeping your mental wellbeing, just having a chat and cracking on with the team, is really important.
“Often with Parkinson’s, your voice is a muscle that if you don’t use it, you lose it.”
“We have now formed a team, North East Parkies United,” Adrian explained about the upcoming competition.
“The ‘United’ is because we all come from different teams, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Sunderland, and we even allow Hartlepool.”
The North East Parkies United team will head to St. George’s Park on Saturday 19 April to compete together for the first time.
Paul Campbell was one of the early members of the programme at the beginning of 2022.
“I didn’t envisage this at all when I first came,” he said on the development of the group.
“I’m very proud of everyone who comes along, because they’ve all contributed. We help each other out, and it has been fantastic to now form an official team.”
Paul, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2010, has been managing his condition by keeping active through Foundation of Light’s Neurological Walking Football.
“It makes a hell of a difference,” he added.
“For one thing, it just takes your mind off everything, you forget that you have Parkinson’s when you are on the pitch.
“It’s a great group of people. I look forward to spending time with them every Tuesday and I’m looking forward to competing together.”
