When I was born 12 years ago, I was a very small baby. To make things easy for you to understand, I weighed as much as a packet of sugar!! My mom and all my family thought that 1 wasn't going to survive, but with god's grace and mercy, and the doctor’s tremendous efforts, I survived! But all this had left its mark on me. I had dyspraxia and some learning difficulties.
Dyspraxia meant that I had problems in co-ordination with my legs. I found that I had problems with some things such as sports. I couldn't do things with my legs properly i.e.; football, swimming, ice-skating etc, etc.
But then I thought to myself what about karate? First my mum joined me to local karate club. I could not even grasp 1 movement! The instructor was so abrupt and he just would not understand. Finely, I left that club with very low self esteem... but I still had a passion for karate.
Eventually after some searching (and one Yellow Pages later!) we found a club called Zen-Shin Shotokan Karate in Digbeth. The instructor was called Sensei John Richards.
At first I thought what if he does not understand my needs. After having a chat with him I realised, there may be a future for me in Karate after all! My instructor was kind, understanding, warm and welcoming.
Eventually I joined this club ZEN-SHIN SHOTKAN KARATE, DIGBETH. I have graded approximately 6 times and I have been to 2 competitions including kata and kumite. I have just graded for my green belt, and now I’m working towards my purple belt.
Karate has helped me with:
1.Self Esteem 2.Self Defence 3.Being Happy, and something to look forward to!!
With Thanks, Mom Dad Sensei John Richards Kelly Rose Pansy Wright Dino Beckford and you for reading this!
Written by: Aamir Aflak Digbath Black Belt academy Academy age 12
Zen-Shin Academy 
