ITFC has always been a community-based club, focused on family and playing football the right way, continuously launching programmes through targeted inclusion initiatives, innovative thinking and opportunities for all. Reaching the home town of Ipswich and out into local areas.
In Part One we focused on its role in the community, recent programmes and initiatives to showcase the power of football, bringing people together and enjoying a common interest but, also learned about the variety offered and took some top tips from The Management Team to support us in our efforts to manage our LTHCs and Disabilities*.
You can read it here
In Part Two
In Part two we will look at how Kieran McKenna’s wise words and analytical skills, have been applied to the ITFC Men’s team since taking on the role of the manager in December. How his experience, attention to detail, commitment, drive and incredible work have turned around the performance, results and success of a team struggling to stay afloat before his appointment. Bringing back the positive approach and hope for many. Through definitions, we will explore some of his key concepts with working examples of their effect on the team and club as a whole.
You can read it here
In Part 3
In Part Three we looked at how McKenna’s wise words and analytical skills can be transferred to help us support our LTHCs and Disabilities with a specific focus on Pituitary Conditions and Addison’s Disease. Using the same definitions but in a different context, this is an innovative way to bring the medical world and the sporting world together as one.
You can read it here
In Part 4
In Part Four we will approach the final definitions of Frustration and Disappointment. Acknowledge their role in the equation through the ‘Can’t Win, Don’t Loose’ philosophy, whilst reflecting on strengths and empowerment.
The focus here is on the ‘Don’t win, don’t lose scenario’, a look at what could be termed as negative emotions of frustration and disappointment and then to wrap it all up we feature the key term of positivity that we are striving for which is empowerment by working with our strengths but also our collaborative strengths within the team whether that be on the football field, a hospital or at home.
How Do We Define Frustration?
‘A deep chronic sense or state of insecurity and dissatisfaction arising from unresolved problems or unfulfilled needs. (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frustration)
How Do We Define Disappointment?
‘Sadness or displeasure caused by the non-fulfilment of one's hopes or expectations. (https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/)
Mc Kenna acknowledges there is plenty of time to feel disappointment felt after a bad game, loss or inability to close out a match and this is viewed as positive, demonstrating the desire is there to get better. The reasons behind it and what could be done differently if the same situation was to arise again. Where the wider team make their contribution. Then it’s done and they move on. Hard to do but Mc Kenna has his players dialled in and focused on the next task at hand.
Using the knowledge around us is important. For Pituitary/Addisons patients a refreshment of Sick Day Rules and checking in with the regular consultant or nurse will help overcome any disappointment associated with an Adrenal Crisis, or a decline in our overall health due to illness or stressful situations. Frustration at not being able to maintain or control unpredictable symptoms. Made worse by pressure, stressful situations and environments that impact cortisol levels. Acknowledging this feeling is important but we also need to move forward.
So how do we beat the frustration and disappointment? We apply the recovery mechanism. ‘Don’t Win Then Don’t Loose’
It is inevitable that in football a loss will occur at some time. Essentially, if your back is against the wall, you try to win but nothing is happening. Then we go for the no lose scenario. Throwing everything you can, changing things up and around in a desperate bid not to lose. Then if the worst does happen and you lose then of course the ‘frustration’ and ‘disappointment’ words ring around. But that’s when the most important changes can be made. Remember that feeling, remember that it’s a privilege to play for this great club, and go back and work on what went well but also what didn’t.
This scenario translates to the life of those with LTHCs. If you are having a day where things are just not right then it’s better to remain consistent. For example, you may love attending a pilates class. However, you know that your energy levels are lower. So switch it up. Do a workout online or try some meditation instead. At least that way your body still gets looked after and there’s no decline in your health essentially making it a win! But having said that, sometimes it’s OK to push, to try, to take a risk. Sometimes we need to do it. The outcome may not always be what we want but it allows us to analyse, assess, report, move forward and help ourselves to improve, inform and move forward. Much easier said than done though!
In the same way that patient confidentiality occurs and how much you wish to share with others about your health and well-being, Mc Kenna is the same about his players. Their personal conversations stay that way. This is balanced by the release of regular training photos and videos over social media to allow fans that connection but in a way that satisfies, links everyone together and highlights more about team selection, community projects, work going on behind the scenes as well as support for those celebrating Birthday’s, religious festivals, players experiencing family bereavements and arranging FanZone activities. Informed but not invasive in consultation with all.
With all the elements discussed, combined and in place, with the team working to their strengths we should be left feeling empowered and that is how we close.
How Do We Define Empowerment?
‘The process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights (https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/)
Following the 3-0 win against Burton on Saturday, forward Kayden Jackson, said: ‘’He empowers you. Other managers in the past have concentrated on what I can’t do, rather than what I can do.
“That’s probably why I haven’t played at times and maybe haven’t been used to my strengths. All I want to do is work under the manager because I know how much he can improve me as a player. I feel like a footballer again.” (https://trainingground.guru/articles/clarity-intensity-and-fun-playing-under-kieran-mckenna-at-ipswich)
Whatever strengths you have are important to exploit and maximise. Our abilities lie in the connection and relationship we have with our medical team, family and friends. But also our daily lives and what we fill them with. Doing things we know we can do well or discovering new hobbies to interact with or in some cases returning to these hobbies and interests after diagnosis will aid recovery and help guide our journey through our medical conditions. Knowledge is power and we need to reflect and absorb every detail we can to feel the empowerment and control.
The last words come from Mc Kenna after the last game of the season where 26,000 fans packed out Portman Road to watch a dominant win over Charlton;
‘We spoke about it when we got back in the dressing room and we said it’s certainly not about the league position [11th]. It’s a reflection of the positivity around the club and where it’s trying to get to. They’re getting behind that and, as I just said to the players, we can’t take that support for granted, but imagine what it would be like if we were in a different position in a year. That is the dream that we all have to get behind and work for.
What’s your dream? We hope you can find it and get there. Good Luck!
Training Ground Guru Articles - Playing under Mc Kenna
The Pituitary Foundation - Sick Day Rules
ITFC - Ipswich Win Over Charlton
*Please remember that these blogs are very real for us. We are on the same journey and it’s tough, slow and frustrating. Most of the Scenarios we face ourselves. Sometimes we find what we convey helpful but at other times we don’t. However, we include it because everyone's journey is different and we like to have this passionate perseverance to help others as much as possible. To dispose of it all would be a waste and a disservice to our readers.