'Nordic walking helps those with Parkinson's thrive'

Christine Stanley says Nordic walking helps with balance and co-ordination

A woman with Parkinson's who runs Nordic walking classes says the activity brings great benefits to people with the condition.

Christine Stanley was diagnosed in 2018 before becoming the first UK woman with the condition to gain a British Nordic walking accreditation last year.

This means the 62-year-old, from Rolleston, Nottinghamshire, can run weekly groups for local people with Parkinson's and will lead a Nordic walking event on 10 April at Nottingham's Wollaton Park to raise awareness and support the local Parkinson's community.

She says she is "determined" to encourage others with the disease to live well and be their own advocates.

The former PE teacher was diagnosed at the age of 55 after being alerted by pains in her back and shoulders.

Ms Stanley had been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of cancer at the age of 29, which then relapsed two years later.

She was introduced to Nordic walking - an enhanced technique that uses poles to work a person's upper body, as well as their legs - via a research programme in Nottingham.

Initially, she did not get involved with the research programme due to commitments as an ambassador for Parkinson's UK but after taking part was eventually asked to train as an instructor.

Now Ms Stanley runs classes three days a week - around Deer Lake at the University of Nottingham on Monday, Southwell on Tuesday and Newark on Wednesday.

'Spiral of thinking'

When asked why Nordic walking helped with the condition, Ms Stanley said: "It helps you to balance, co-ordination, good movement, which is really good for the neural pathway.

"You're with other people. You're working together and because Parkinson's causes a bit of depression, anxiety, it's absolutely cathartic to have people together."

Ms Stanley has also been made an ambassador for British Nordic Walking as a result of her work, which she said made her "very emotional".

"Because when you're dealt this hand and told you've got a condition that's degenerative, you go into a spiral of thinking, I can't do any more with my life," she said.

"I've achieved things that I never thought I would achieve, particularly in the last three years.

"I want to continue to do the same and give something back to the Parkinson's community and be a voice, particularly for women."