Mission Complete! Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa 10th Oct. Still time to sponsor

CLUB MEMBER PROFILES

How long have you been with Movers and Shakers FC?

I joined towards the end of January 2022 when it all started.

When were you diagnosed with Parkinson’s?

I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in February 2014, a year after finally convincing my GP to refer me to a neurologist. I had been made redundant in August 2012, aged 56, by EON, the energy provider, and I knew I had a problem then. When I first saw the neurologist in January 2013, I was told I had Parkinson’s or Parkinsonism, and was prescribed Ropinirole and told to come back after a year when it would be confirmed one way or the other. The diagnosis came as a complete shock. My wife and I decided we would take the opportunity to see the world before the condition made it impossible. The following week we began our first trip, seven weeks in Australia and the Far East, followed by three weeks in South Africa and Zambia, and a month cruising to the USA and South America via the Panama Canal, ending in San Francisco. There were also many holidays across Europe in between. Then COVID caught up with us and a cruise to the Northern Lights and Norway had to be cancelled as a result.

What symptoms affect you most?

My early symptoms were a pain in my left upper arm and tremor, particularly when talking on the phone or giving presentations at work. Later on, my main symptoms became stomach cramps, dyskinesia and problems with medication not working because of sensitivity to protein in my diet. I've been using the Produodopa pump for nearly a year now and my symptoms are much improved. It can be difficult wearing the pump 24/7 but I've found a way which allows me to do walking football and other exercise. Now, my main symptoms are anxiety, freezing, off periods and speech difficulties.

What therapies and information sources do you recommend and why?

Do as much exercise as you can, whether it be walking football, exercise classes, table tennis, whatever you feel able to do. Stay safe, but you won't know if you're able to do something unless you try.
Talk to a Parkinson's Nurse, they're a mine of useful information.
Try Conductive Education, available at various locations including Ledbury, Bromsgrove and Birmingham. It teaches strategies and techniques to overcome common issues with movement and co-ordination.

How does Movers and Shakers help you?

I feel stronger as soon as I get in the car to go to football. The anticipation and feel-good factor kicks in and many others will agree it's great to be with people who understand your problems because they have them too. The get together afterwards over tea and biscuits often throws up useful discussion.

What advice would you give your newly-diagnosed self?

Talking to others with the same condition and their partners may give you tips about what you can do about your own problems.
Be careful about taking too much medication too early. Remenber you may be on some of the tablets a long time and they sometimes have side effects.
Find out as much as you can from organisations like Parkinson’s UK. For example, they have details of the latest news and research to help you to manage your condition in the best way possible.
Join a supportive group like Movers and Shakers FC, or a local friendship group.