A few years ago Mike (to the right of the picture) contacted me and asked if he could bring along his stepson Tom to Karate. He informed me that Tom (left of the picture) may find some things difficult as he has a few mental and physical barriers to overcome but Mike wanted Tom to join our mainstream class. Mike had no real intention of moving through the belts himself but he would also train to support Tom.
Fast forward several years and both Tom and Mike are blue belts at Sheffield Karate Club. Mike loves the training himself and Tom does fantastically well working within his limitations and pushing the boundaries of what he feels he can personally achieve. As the grading requirements get increasingly difficult, Tom will keep pushing himself to overcome the frustrations he sometimes feels. Tom may be disadvantaged in some areas, but I know what he is capable of and we will continue to keep moving forward. There are no easy rides in our club but we treat people as the individuals that they are. It’s stretching the individual’s capabilities that matter.
He is a valued member and inspiration to us all.
Thanks for reading
David Shaw – Sheffield Karate Club