Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
I GAVE SHYNESS THE ELBOW.. & KNEE.. & FIST
Kickboxing transforms life of dyslexic Harvey, 9
A PROUD mum has told how her shy nine-year-old’s life has been completely transformed by kickboxing.
Wrestling fan Harvey Lowry started Muay Thai seven months ago because Judy worried he was an easy target for bullies.
In that time, she said everything from her dyslexic son’s confidence levels to his concentration at school have been boosted.
Judy, from Millisle, Co Down, added: “Before, someone would have went up to him and said ‘boo’ and he would have cried.
“I would have put it down to him being dyslexic.
“In school when the teacher asked a question everybody would have put their hands up to answer but Harvey would just sit there.
“He was just a very quiet wee boy and he would have let people walk all over him. You don’t want your child to be bullied.
“He has two older brothers who always would have stood up for him, but I can honestly say he wouldn’t need them now. He has just improved in everything. It’s amazing.”
Harvey trains three times a week with Predator Muay Thai at Elysium gym in Bangor.
Judy, 33, was so impressed with the transformation in her son she now joins him for a weekly private lesson with instructor Phil Townley.
But even when Harvey isn’t training at the gym, the mum said Muay Thai is never far from her little boy’s mind.
She added: “Harvey just lives and breaths this.”
Judy said like most kids he enjoys computer games, but can’t walk past the punch bag he got for Christmas without a quick jab or kick.
And the mum of four said the kitchen addition was a welcome reprieve for the sofa.
Even with her son’s newfound confidence Judy added: “He still wouldn’t lift his fists to anybody because he is such a placid wee boy – but he would probably answer them back now instead of running away crying. He has just come out of his shell.
“People think you are getting your kids to go and fight, but it’s not about that.
“He was a very quiet wee boy and would not have done anything on his own. He always needed someone with him, but now he’s away to go and do everything.
“Even in school his concentration and his focus has improved because of it.”
Juddy also told how his teachers at Millisle Primary School have remarked on the “big difference” in Harvey. She said: “They would have said he was quiet and would have sat back. He didn’t want to get involved.
“It has made him a better person and I think more kids should do this.”