Footballers' association funds speech therapist for locked-in syndrome patient Gary Parkinson (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Footballers' association funds speech therapist for locked-in syndrome patient Gary Parkinson

7:00am Tuesday 9th October 2012 in News By Tyrone Marshall, Reporter

THE Professional Footballers’ Association is to pay for a speech therapist to work with former Clarets star Gary Parkinson.

Gary, 44, has locked-in syndrome since suffering a stroke in September 2010.

He has been receiving round the clock care at the Priory High Bank Centre in Summerseat, Ramsbottom, for the past year but his family, wife Debbie and children Luke, Chloe and Sophie, hope he can be home with them, near Bolton, for Christmas.

And now PFA chief Gordon Taylor said his organisation is going to fund a speech therapist to work with Gary in the hope he may regain some ability to talk.

Mr Taylor, chief executive of the PFA, said: “We have been involved from the very beginning as it is such a tragic case with his situation, and the bravery which he has shown and the dedication shown by his wife Debbie and his family. There has been great support from players at the clubs he has played at.

“Recently he has been in hospital at Bury and his family are looking to try and get him home, and to have some therapy for him.

“I have spoken with the family about speech therapy for Gary and it something they are looking at trying to see if it can bring about an improvement.

“Where there is life there is hope and everybody will keep hoping and keep trying to bring about an improvement in his condition.

“We are going to look at funding the speech therapist and helping out with that where possible, we have spoken to Debbie about it. She is a remarkable lady.”

Gary, who made more than 100 appearances for the Clarets, is most fondly remembered for scoring the winning goal in the Division Two play-off final at Wembley in 1994.

A trust set up in Gary’s name to raise funds for his care and support has raised around £100,000, with former teammates from his clubs holding various fundraising events.

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