When the instructor becomes the student..

Here's a story that's close to my heart that I wanted to share.

I started martial arts when I was 5yrs old and today at almost 52 I still train, admittedly a little slower every day, it is my passion. I left school at 15 with no qualifications, however I had a real need to help others and an instinctive drive to protect. I studied hard every night after work and eventually was able to join the NZ police where I served for nine years, many of those within specialist units.

I retired from the police in 1999 with a vision to help more people by creating our company HardTarget (formally Contact Training Systems). When we first started out I had great joy in running Self-defence courses for schools throughout NZ. We normally ran these courses at no charge, as we wanted to serve our community.

During this time I met Andrew, a young man with fairly advanced Spina Bifida who attended a local Primary School. I was unaware of Andrew before I started the course, as I walked into the class I saw him immediately. He bravely approached me, he was obviously very nervous as he struggled to stand on his crutches and asked if he could attend the course.?“Of course you can” I stated with great confidence. These simple words said with such determination hit him like a wave, he seemed to stand a little taller and turned to look at his class mates with a massive smile.

The first session was fairly straight forward as we learned about awareness, to trust instincts, projecting confidence and much more. We had a great time, I must admit after the that first session I got home as soon as I could and started to study everything I could about Spina Bifida. I spent literally every waking hour in the gym either by myself or with my instructors running through how I was going to teach Andrew to achieve tasks. I bought some crutches which I still have and had some friends kids who were around Andrews age run though drills with me.

To say Andrew worked hard is an understatement, his courage was incredible, his constant positive beautiful energy and absolute belief in me was a humbling experience. On the last day all the kids were excited to test their new skills within real life simulated scenarios. This is when I put on my Red-Man suit and they get to apply all their newly acquired skills in realistic scenario's that are serious while at the same time fun to complete a positive learning experience.

Andrew didn't ask if he would be allowed to participate. He lined up with his class and threw himself into each scenario with absolute faith in what I had taught him.? Throughout the entire time I was with Andrew he never complained, nor did he ever say he couldn't do something or make any excuses. His personality was absolutely infectious, everyone was inspired by him even though I don't think this was his intention as he naturally lead through his actions.

?On that last day Andrew gave me this drawing, I almost cried when he did however that was when I was younger so I held back the tears. I had so much to learn, if it were today I would simply cry openly. Even though I have run training all over the world and received many gifts, this is one of the few that I have hanging in my home gym. Now, some 23 years later I often think of the gift/lessons Andrew gave me, to have such courage, facing all challenges without complaint, such kindness and so much faith.?

I strive to be like Andrew,I have continued over the years to learn lessons from those I train with. To keep an open mind and heart as everyone has had experiences that when shared become truely valuable.

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