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Blind footballer for England and West Bromwich Albion to create exercise videos

A blind footballer who plays for England and West Bromwich is set to create exercise videos for disabled people amid the coronavirus crisis.

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Darren Harris follows another player onto the pitch

Paralympian Darren Harris, from Wolverhampton, has teamed up with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) as part of the Include Me WM scheme.

It will see people with disabilities encouraged to remain active during lockdown – with normal exercise classes with other people not being an option for some people.

Darren, who is England's most capped footballer with 162 international caps, said: "Lots of disabled people are currently having to self-isolate and you need both confidence and motivation to be active, especially if you’re on your own.

"I’m hoping everyone, not just disabled people, will find my videos easy to use and will help them keep active while the country is under lockdown.

"You don’t need expensive gym equipment or a lot of space to follow the videos, just the desire to start moving a bit more each day."

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The videos will be shared on the newly created Include Me West Midlands Facebook page.

Darren was diagnosed with eye condition bilateral retinoblastoma – with his sight deteriorating until he became completely blind in his 20s.

He also has a range of medals – including 10 world and European trophies – and is the most decorated blind footballer, along with other accolades in judo.

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: "Include Me WM was set up to create a more inclusive environment and a better understanding of disabled people’s needs.

"The creation of this Facebook page is an example of how the programme can respond to the needs of disabled people and those with long term health conditions.

"We all need to keep fit and healthy right now and Darren’s contribution to the Include Me WM page will help encourage disabled people to participate in regular exercise despite many facing the challenge of self-isolation or limited contact with others."

The Facebook page shares exercise videos from people who have a variety of disabilities using everyday items – rather than specialist equipment.

Councillor Izzi Seccombe, the WMCA's portfolio holder for wellbeing, said: "Include Me WM aims to make the West Midlands an exemplar region for engaging disabled people and people with long term health conditions to be physically active. The new Facebook page is an example of how the programme is succeeding in doing this.

"As well as videos from people like Darren, which encourage disabled people to exercise, it will also provide a safe and positive place for people to chat, helping to reduce the loneliness of self-isolation and limited social contact."

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