Frank's Story
“Over many years from my youth, I had been active in lots of sports, eg. football, squash, snooker/pool and golf. This all changed four years ago when I was diagnosed with PD, which became apparent with a tremor in my left arm while playing pool in my local league.
The tremor became noticeable. I gave up playing and over the following weeks stopped all sports and retreated to staying at home, losing communications with all my contacts. The effect of the prospects of living with PD and associated issues resulted in almost ten months entirely at home and I eventually came to realise this was having a detrimental effect on my health.
I had an appointment to see the PD Nurse and during our session she made me aware of several activities for PD which included walking football, table tennis and golf. I realised then I could and should make the effort to change my attitude living with PD and try out the activities mentioned.
I HAVE NOT LOOKED BACK SINCE, and am a regular player now with fellow Parkys at walking football and table tennis, which includes annual Scottish and European Open Tournaments specifically for players with PD.
Having overcome my period of isolation at home, I recently searched out and joined the Scottish Parkinson’s Golf Society (SPGS) at their Spring event at Gullane. This turned out to be a very enjoyable day and although my golfing brain and body did not replicate what I could achieve 25-30 years ago, it was great to take part in the event and be helped around the excellent course by my playing partners. It was also great meeting and having general chat with other PD members before and afterwards.
Having been through several “hoops” over the last 4 years I would thoroughly recommend anyone diagnosed with PD to continue any physical activity to help improve health and cognitive skills, eg golfing in the fresh air, taking part no matter what your standard and connect with other ‘Parkys’.
As a first step, contact SPGS today!”
Frank Duffy
Andy's Story
“29th January 2015 is a day I’ll never forget when I was told I had Parkinson’s. My world didn’t just shift, it felt like it had closed in on me. I struggled badly to come to terms with the news. Apart from commuting to and from work in Edinburgh, I didn’t really want to go out, so I didn’t mix socially with anyone or go out for several months. I preferred to sit at home watching TV.
I’d played cricket all my adult life and played golf to a reasonable standard too. I’d just got my handicap down to 9. Immediately, I (wrongly) thought that Parkinson’s had taken all of that away from me. So, I packed both sports in. I was finished... or so I thought. Looking back, it was one of the biggest mistakes I’ve ever made.
Nearly 5 years later, everything changed for me when I went along to a meeting of the Fife Young Persons Parkinson’s UK group and met Jarlath Busby (your SPGS Chair).
Through his own example, he encouraged me and gave me the belief I could maybe actually play golf again and that Parkinson’s needn’t necessarily take away your ability to keep doing the things you enjoy. After playing only a few holes of my ‘comeback’ round, I realised that I could still play. I could still enjoy it and importantly for me personally, I could still compete. From that moment golf became and still is one of the most powerful tools I have for managing my Parkinson’s.
It helps me stay active, stay connected to a bunch of great friends and helps me to just be me. It will do the same for you. So don’t make the same mistake I made and don’t assume you can’t play. Get out there and give it a go and give yourself a chance to be surprised.”
Andy McAulay