The social side is absolutely fantastic!
The duo, who have been playing Powerchair football for five years, say the sport has given them independence and has changed their lives 100 percent.
“With severe disabilities, this is the only competitive sport we can take part in,” said Annette. “The games are incredibly good fun and we get to meet hundreds of new people. The social side is absolutely fantastic.”
Although the family live in Cornwall, they are happy to travel to Nottingham Trent University five weekends a year to play in the MDUK National Championship league matches. They also train in Cheltenham, where they play for Cheltenham Regionals and the South West All Stars National Team.
We’re a very determined mother and daughter
Both Annette and Amy are the proud owners of ‘Strike Force’ chairs, which cost more than £9k each. They bought them with JPT grants. The two have also developed a brand new Cornish Powerchair Football Club where they are training eight ‘newbies.’
“At the moment we have plenty of members but not the chairs! It’s a huge effort to get funding for them but we are a very determined mother and daughter,” said Annette.
It really changes people’s lives
“Powerchair football is much more than just a game. It brings disabled people and families into a world they didn’t know existed and opens their eyes to how life can be. The sport has created countless friendships, competitive rivalries, memories and even marriages – it really changes people’s lives. MDUK is proud to support Powerchair football, and we wish all competitors the very best of luck for the rest of the season,” said Ryan Sipple, MDUK’s Sports Development Officer.
What is Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT)?
CMT is a group of genetic conditions affecting the peripheral nerves, which connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. It is commonly referred to as hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (HMSN), which refers to its two primary features: it is hereditary and affects the function of the motor and sensory peripheral nerves. This leads to weakness and wasting of the muscles below the knees and often those of the hands. It can also cause numbness or loss of feeling in the hands and feet.