Continued support through Fight Parkinson’s
After receiving his diagnosis of Young-Onset Parkinson’s in 2010, Mark recalled attending an in-person ‘Recently Diagnosed Seminar’ held by Fight Parkinson’s—then known as Parkinson’s Victoria.
Since this first interaction, Mark said that he and his wife have contacted Fight Parkinson’s on multiple occasions, for different reasons, but has always found our services and supports to be “very effective, informative, professional, and useful.”
In 2022, Mark was invited to join the Fight Parkinson’s Research Committee, where he has been asked to review various research funding proposals and project processes.
Although he has worked in the areas of computer-aided engineering and astronomy for 30 years, holds a BSc (Hons) in Astrophysics, an MA in Ancient History, and an MBA, Mark serves on the Committee by referring to his lived experience with Young-Onset Parkinson’s and deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery.
After undergoing bilateral DBS surgery of the subthalamic nucleus in 2020, Mark went on to publish 6 first-author papers on DBS and become a regular member of the Fight Parkinson’s DBS Peer Support Group.
Getting a kick out of community
After discovering there wasn’t a soccer club for people with Parkinson’s in his local community, Mark decided to start one himself. As a Social Member of the Maccabi Football Club Caulfield (MFCC), where his son had played for a junior team, Mark approached the president of the Club with his idea for ‘Parky Soccer’.
‘Parky Soccer’ is a new Social Member program under the MFCC ‘Walking Football’ initiative—a program designed to improve fitness and health through a modified and slower version of the game, encouraging older members of the Glen Eira community, and those with restricted mobility, to be more active and use football as a vehicle to socialise.
One ‘Parky Soccer’ participant named Abby said, “It’s something fun to get me moving on a Saturday morning.”
“There’s no age limit and no contact,” Mark stated, “And it’s very good because everyone adjusts for one another. We play outdoors, but it’s a dedicated, enclosed space, so that way it’s a bit more controlled and a safer space for people who have Parkinson’s or other movement disorders.”
According to Mark, members of ‘Walking Football’ come along to ‘Parky Soccer’ for a game, but there is a mutual understanding of everybody’s capabilities. Playing ‘Parky Soccer’ is more about “getting moving”, “having fun”, and “staying friendly” in a community setting, rather than a “professional game.”
“There are no sliding tackles… If someone loses their footing and falls over, everyone stops. We help them get back to their feet, then carry on playing,” said Mark.
Social engagement is another positive aspect of ‘Parky Soccer’. Following a recent game, Mark and a few other group members went to a nearby café for coffee and a chat about deep brain stimulation.
“Parkinson’s can be a lonely disease, so it is good to connect with others by playing a team sport,” commented Matt, a ‘Parky Soccer’ member with Parkinson’s.
Important notes
Fight Parkinson’s acknowledges that regular exercise and social connection are great ways to help manage Parkinson’s symptoms, however we encourage anyone who may be contemplating if ‘Parky Soccer’ is right for them, to speak with your GP or your Parkinson’s healthcare team first.
To learn more about ‘Walking Football’ or ‘Parky Soccer’, visit Walking Football over 50’s | Maccabi FC Caulfield
To learn about other Fight Parkinson’s Peer Support Groups that may be more suited to your needs and capabilities, please contact Fight Parkinson’s:
Phone
Health information line: Free call 1800 931 031 – A free translation service is available on this line.
Email
[email protected]
Visit
Suite 6, Waterman Business Suites, Level 1, 793 Burke Road, Camberwell 3124
Open Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm
