Jo’s journey an inspiration to others

After a life-changing accident which left her with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Jo Denton has rekindled her love of netball and paved the way for others to follow.

Jo lives in Basildon in Essex and played netball as a youngster before starting uni. She subsequently became a youth worker and netball took a back seat for a while. In 2012 Jo was involved in an accident which resulted in a diagnosis of CRPS. This meant that she was no longer able to mobilise independently, and she became a wheelchair user.

Jo’s condition affects different aspects of her life and means that she lives with chronic pain which impacts her physical and mental health. The CRPS started in her left wrist and spread to the whole of her left side. To say this has been life changing would be an understatement.

Jo now lives with constant pain in her arm, leg and foot and suffers from swelling where her body tries to splint itself, as well as vascular changes affecting the temperature of her arm, leg and foot. She is unable to use her left arm and has to carefully manage her activity levels due to chronic fatigue. This is an autoimmune neurological condition which unfortunately doesn’t have a cure.

Jo works hard with specialist physiotherapists and occupational therapists to keep moving as much as she can despite all the challenges that CRPS throws at her.

In 2019 she was referred to an occupational therapist (OT), Lyndsey Barrett, and accessed an organisation called Sport for Confidence. Jo worked with Lyndsey to explore her future goals and identified that she would like to return to playing netball and also work towards other roles including becoming a coach and umpire.

Jo attended weekly sessions and grew in confidence on and off the court. Supported by her OT, she began to play mixed ability netball and took on a volunteering role supporting others who face barriers to sport and physical activity. Lyndsey introduced Jo to Flames Netball Club and from there she decided to take her Level 1 Coaching Qualification.

Images of the journey to become an umpire, with Gary Burgess, bottom right, on the day of Jo’s assessment.

Photos by Steve Aldridge, Witham Essex

That required earning a first aid qualification and demonstrating that she could give CPR. Jo wasn’t able to move from her wheelchair to ground level to administer CPR herself, an issue that many other disabled people would struggle with, but reasonable adjustments were made and she was able to clearly direct someone else to give CPR on her behalf. Jo completed the online course and passed the practical and is now a Level 1 Qualified Coach.

Continuing her involvement with occupational therapy and Sport for Confidence, Jo met a mum who attended a Walking Netball session and encouraged her to go and watch. Jo was made to feel very welcome and thoroughly enjoyed herself. She attended regularly and was inspired to learn more about the rules, providing the opportunity to work towards her umpiring goal.

This is where she met Dawn Bullimore, a qualified umpire, mentor, assessor and England Netball tutor. Lyndsey requested that Dawn support Jo and with help from Dawn, who became her course tutor, and Gary Burgess, Head of Officiating at England Netball, Jo enrolled on one of the England Netball Into Officiating courses. Gary explained that England Netball is committed to ensuring netball is inclusive, diverse and offers equal opportunities for all, and that this would possibly be a first for the Officiating community.

Following the online sessions, Jo attended an umpiring practice session sponsored and hosted by East Essex County Netball Association. Jo, like the other attendees, was quite nervous but was able to participate in all of the practical exercises with the exception of the Toss Up. Jo was asked what she would do in a situation where a Toss Up needed to be taken. She thought about it for a moment and, without any prompting from the tutors, said, “I’d ask the co-umpire to take it, or I’d just make a decision so I didn’t have to give a Toss Up!” Textbook answer.

Additionally, Jo mastered the scorecard, used her band to indicate the centre pass and umpired a half-court match. She said she thoroughly enjoyed the session.

Jo now umpires at the Basildon Sporting Village Walking Netball sessions each Tuesday and Thursday and occasionally at the local adult social league. She passed her Into Officiating (IO) qualification on 2 May and is looking forward to continuing her officiating journey with the Netball Family. Jo says: “It’s been amazing finding netball again and being part of something I love. I love nothing more than passing a ball about, shooting, coaching and umpiring.

“In order to do this though, I do get increases in pain, need to sleep in between activities and be prepared, although pain flares can just happen. The morning after a night at netball can leave me shattered and in a flare. But as this can happen even if I haven’t taken part in something I love, I know that I am better off going out and enjoying myself and being part of the Netball Family rather than sitting at home.

“CRPS completely changed my life. For me it is very tiring and relentless to be in constant pain, then having electric shock pain that randomly occurs. I have learnt how to manage it mentally to enable me to have a new normal.

“Doing the IO course has been brilliant. It’s another way I can be involved in netball and it has helped me to develop my confidence and be part of the game I love. I have achieved something I really wanted to do on the same terms as everyone else starting their officiating journey.

“I think it’s important to remember that it’s part of my journey, but it’s also so much more. It can be the start for other people. For anyone who reads this or sees me umpiring, this isn’t a one-off, special thing. Some of the barriers that I have faced have been removed and I hope that someone who has a disability or health condition will see that doing the IO is achievable with some minor adjustments and help from your mentor. For example, I signal a goal with my voice rather than raising my arm.

“Next for me is to get some regular games to umpire – friendlies over the summer ready for next season. Then I can continue my netball journey.”