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<\/p>\nA group of women living with Parkinson’s disease said joining an all-female walking football team has given them a sense of community.<\/p>\n
The Parkinson’s Pioneers, based in Solihull, formed after founder Annie Booth said she wanted to create a support network for women diagnosed with the condition.<\/p>\n
Three years later, the team has more than 30 active members from all over the country, aged between 42 and 73.<\/p>\n
Booth, 58, told the BBC: “I was playing football with mainly men who had Parkinson’s – and I thought there have to be women out there who want to build a community, support each other and learn a new skill like football.”<\/p>\n
According to Parkinson’s UK, there are 166,000 people living with the condition – with one person diagnosed every 20 minutes.<\/p>\n
The condition sees parts of the brain become more damaged over time and symptoms include involuntary shaking, slow movement and balance problems.<\/p>\n
“My aim was always to build a community where women felt safe, women could learn something new and women could feel supported,” Booth said.<\/p>\n
“That is the reason why we do this, we just happen to do it with the kick of a ball.”<\/p>\n
Ellie Finch-Hulme was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s when she was 29, before she had children.<\/p>\n
“I remember once I was carrying my baby and someone came up to me and asked why they were shaking, but it was actually my tremor,” she said.<\/p>\n
The team meet up once a month for training and recently took part in an all Parkinson’s walking football tournament at St George’s Park, in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire.<\/p>\n
Walking football is a version of the game in which running is against the rules and players take part at a walking pace.<\/p>\n
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Ellie Finch-Hulme said being a part of the group was about uplifting, inspiring and encouraging each other [BBC]<\/p>\n
Finch-Hulme said it took a year and a half for her to get a diagnosis and what began as a tremor led to her whole left side of her body being affected.<\/p>\n
“It’s mad to be around such a big group of women with Parkinson’s. I don’t know why because there are loads of us,” she said.<\/p>\n
“It’s not just about the football, it’s about uplifting and inspiring and encouraging other women who are part of something together.<\/p>\n
“The sense of community is amazing – I haven’t been playing with them for long but I’m part of the family now.”<\/p>\n
Booth said, as well as keeping members of the team active, being part of the Pioneers had helped take away feelings of isolation felt by those living with it.<\/p>\n
“Parkinson’s is like taking the sunshine out of your brain,” she said.<\/p>\n
“You feel low, you struggle and knowing there someone with you gives you that sense of peace and belonging back again.<\/p>\n
“It’s brought me so much in my life. It can be very isolating and challenging but a community like this gives you somewhere to go.”<\/p>\n
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