11 Jul 2024

From Sports Hero to Parkinson's Ambassador

John Kane and David Kiggins recently shared their inspiring message of resilience and support at Eden Country Care, a home care service based in Penrith. Kane, a former captain of the Cumbria County Darts team, recounted his journey from the pinnacle of his athletic career to grappling with the onset of Parkinson’s.

His achievements, including winning national tournaments and his notable victory on the television show Bullseye, underscored his remarkable sportsmanship, however, the onset of Parkinson's marked a new chapter in Kane's life. Reflecting on the challenges, he candidly shared the moment he first noticed the symptoms that would change his life forever.

"It was when I was playing darts, I first noticed something wrong with my hand and eye coordination," Kane recalled. "Basically overnight, I went from being one of the best players in Cumbria to being the worst despite constant practice."

Despite the challenges brought on by Parkinson’s, Kane swiftly redirected his focus towards raising awareness about the disease. His dedication to this cause has been unwavering, as evidenced by his role as the chair of the West Cumbria branch of Parkinson’s U.K. and his countless efforts in educating others about the condition.

David Kiggins, a former colleague of Kane’s, has also joined the fight against Parkinson’s, following in his friend’s footsteps. Kiggins is learning from Kane, preparing to continue their vital work in Parkinson’s education. John Kane was honoured two years ago to receive the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s honour list for his work on Parkinson's Awareness, underscoring his exceptional contributions to the cause.

Their recent training sessions at Eden Country Care proved to be both informative and deeply moving. Attendees were captivated by Kane and Kiggins’ personal anecdotes, humour, and profound insights into the challenges faced by individuals living with Parkinson’s. Their stories highlighted the importance of understanding the disease's impact on daily life, from physical symptoms to social stigma.

Thanks to the efforts of John Kane and David Kiggins, Eden Country Care now stands better equipped to provide compassionate and informed care to individuals with Parkinson’s in Cumbria. John and David's dedication to raising awareness and improving the lives of those affected by the disease is truly commendable, making them true champions in the fight against Parkinson’s.

John & Dave provide Parkinson’s training for free in Cumbria (they ask for a small donation to charity). For more information about the Parkinson's Awareness training, please get in touch with Colette at Eden Country Care on 07899 706 852 or [email protected].