Members of the Concrete Club train weekly with Wendy Chrisp (far left).
Members of the Concrete Club train weekly with Wendy Chrisp (far left).
“Gutsy”, “inclusive” and “wonderful” — these are just some of the words used by Pinnacle exercise consultant Wendy Chrisp to describe members of Taupō's Concrete Club.
Although the name might conjure up towering, tough blokes who look like they’re made of cinder blocks, concrete refers to the attitude and spiritof the club’s members, rather than their physiques.
That’s because the club, which began as a boxing group before expanding into an exercise and social group, is for people living with Parkinson’s disease.
About one in 500 people has Parkinson’s disease, which is a progressive condition caused by a loss of nerve cells.
It leads to a reduction in the brain of a movement-controlling chemical called dopamine.
Dawson has Parkinson’s himself and was always quick to offer advice and share his own experiences with members new and old.
“Let’s talk about, let’s just get it out in the open,” is his mantra, which has become the overall attitude of the group.
“There’s nothing these guys won’t talk about.”
Chrisp said the door was always open to new members, at any stage in their journey with Parkinson’s disease.
Although squaring up to the condition could be intimidating, a support network as warm and open as Concrete Club had the capacity to make a real difference to people with the disease, and their loved ones.
The effect on members and staff, including Chrisp, has been a big one.
