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In this issue:
A carefree night out: One afternoon five years ago a family’s world fell apart – or at least it could have. The day had started like any other with Belfast mum Natalie Thompson getting her two young daughters, Shannon and Stephanie, out to school before heading off to work as a carer in a residential home.
“That was the day I collapsed in the dining room at the home. My legs gave way and that was me down,” recalls Natalie.
Parkinsons disease: Bertie Hemphill used to love nothing better than a round of golf, but the day he couldn’t even hit a ball at the driving range with his little grandson marked a bleak chapter in his life.
Five years ago, when he was 63, the Fermanagh businessman was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Bertie’s symptoms are classic – tremor, rigidity and a blankness to the expression which could easily be mistaken for disinterest. But that’s the first misunderstanding about Parkinson’s he dispels.
Lifesavers: Horrified staff members were unsure what to do, but teacher Monica McKee quickly sprang into action, giving the 13-year-old boy back blows and abdominal thrusts. The pupil’s condition continued to worsen as he struggled to breathe, his body became limp and the colour faded from his face.
Another teacher dialled 999 as Monica, who had been trained in emergency life saving skills through the Heartstart Schools initiative, continued trying to revive the young pupil.
A sporting chance: Attendance at PE lessons has increased in many schools by an average of 30 minutes a week – an increase of around 50 per cent for some projects. And more community groups are using the state-of-the-art facilities that have been built in schools and communities through the Big Lottery Fund’s PE and Sport programme.
The Big Lottery Fund has pumped more than ?33 million into creating 135 state-of-the-art sports facilities in schools and communities in one of the largest ever Lottery backed sports facilities programmes.
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