Photo: Bildbyrån
Last year he was on sick leave from his coaching job in Leksand – this year he is a success in Björklöven.
Björn Hellkvist is now roaring at everyone who only sees him for his Parkinson’s.
– It’s a bit difficult when people talk in the media about me being so fucking sick, he says to Expressen.
At the beginning of last season was forced Björn Hellkvist47, take sick leave from his position as head coach in Leksand. He has had Parkinson’s disease for several years, but he then went through a more difficult period. Instead took Mikael “Challe” Karlberg and Charles “Challe” Berglund over the responsibility in the club. Before this season, Björn Hellkvist has instead moved to Björklöven in the hockey Allsvenskan.
Hellkvist tells how he feels
He actually still has a contract with Leksand this season as well, but he is on loan to Björklöven. Hellkvist has managed to take the Umeå team to the top of the table after 13 victories in 16 rounds. Many questioned him and his ability because he had been sick for so long and because he was forced to take a break last year. But he has managed to prove that he still has more to give.
– I work full time. It’s a little hard when people talk in the media about me being so fucking sick. I’m not very positive about people commenting on my health. They don’t know anything about it, he tells Expressen.
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He himself says that he is fine and feels alert and well.
– I am, but it’s hard for me to sell my own health because people are talking crap on TV about me being unwell. But I’m not sick. I only have one diagnosis, he says.
Björn Hellkvist’s relationship with Leksand
At the moment, he is not discussing the future with either Leksand or Björklöven. As mentioned, the agreement with the SHL team expires after the season. They have no contact now, but he sees that they pay his “salary, taxes and pension” every month. Nor does he know what will happen with the current club next season.
READ MORE: Challe Berglund tells the truth about the coaching change in Leksand
READ MORE: Björn Hellkvist’s honest words – about life with the serious illness: “Has hijacked my brain”
Regardless of how things go, he wants others to be able to see what he has done despite his illness. He hopes to be an inspiration to people with similar diagnoses.
– There are a lot of other people with neurological ailments and diseases who have hell every day, but I don’t have that now. Just because you get so sick for a couple of months that you walk around with a cane doesn’t mean that your whole life needs to stop, he says.
Good that you dare to speak up, Björn! Good luck with your work this season and hope you continue to feel well.
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