A woman who has lived with Parkinson’s since 2018 has been selected to represent an England women’s sports team in Canada this month.

Chris Stanley, from Southwell, is a member of the Parkinson’s Pioneers, the UK’s only all-female Parkinson’s walking football team.

Since joining the club 18 months ago, Chris – a retired PE teacher – has participated in national and international tournaments against some of the world’s best walking footballers.

On September 17, Toronto in Canada is hosting a walking football festival which will welcome Chris’ fellow players from the Parkinson’s Pioneers, as well as other walking footballers from the UK Parkinson’s community.

Two squads from the Parkinson’s England Walking Football Association will travel for the festival against Parkinson’s United FC, the Canadian national team.

“I was honoured to be asked to attend the recent walking football trials and I’m so proud to be able to represent the new England Women’s team in Toronto,” Chris said.

“When you are diagnosed with Parkinson’s you can often lose your confidence in many areas and the self belief that you can do certain activities.

“Being active has not only helped me to live well with the condition, but it has also opened up so many new friendships and social connections with people who are going through the same experience as me.

“I am delighted to be part of this new squad of wonderful, strong and determined women footballers and I hope that we can raise more awareness of Parkinson’s with a new audience.”

On September 17, Toronto in Canada is hosting a walking football festival which will welcome Chris’ fellow players from the Parkinson’s Pioneers, as well as other walking footballers from the UK Parkinson’s community.
The free event marks the launch of Parkinson’s United, celebrating the international friendship between English and Canadian walking football teams, and aims to raise awareness of the benefits of walking football for people living with the disease. — Pic credit: Chris Stanley

The free event marks the launch of Parkinson’s United, celebrating the international friendship between English and Canadian walking football teams, and aims to raise awareness of the benefits of walking football for people living with the disease.

Since her Parkinson’s diagnosis, Chris has supported many people with the condition to get active through her local network of Nordic walking classes, which have been supported by British Nordic Walking and Parkinson’s UK.

Gemma Darvill, coach at Parkinson’s Pioneers, said: “Seeing the positive impact the game has on so many people has been incredible.

“To now be the coach and manager of the England Walking Football Parkinson’s team is a dream come true, and an honour I will always cherish with immense pride.”

To help her reach the walking football festival, Chris has been supported by donations from the Nottingham Parkinson’s UK branch and members of the young-onset Trent Bridge Parkinson’s community.

The funds have been raised in recognition of Chris’ work with the local Parkinson’s community in recent years.

“As a member of the team, I’ve seen how important walking football can be in helping more women live well with Parkinson’s, and the social connections that can be made,” added Caroline Rassell, the chief executive at Parkinson’s UK.

“It’s great to see that Chris Stanley has become the latest member of the team and I would like to wish the squad every success at the forthcoming event in Canada.”

Source: https://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/news/woman-living-with-parkinson-s-to-represent-the-uk-at-canadia-9480916/