Blind Michael is proud as punch
An inspirational East Kilbride self-defence instructor who is registered blind won a martial arts award.
Michael McAllister, 37, struggled with his disability until he started training with The Scottish Centre for Personal Safety, a charity which provides personal safety and practical self-defence training for businesses, groups and individuals but particularly victims of violence and vulnerable people.
And he has picked up the Martial Arts Illustrated Hall of Fame student award.
A delighted Michael, from St Leonards, said: “A year ago, prior to my first meeting with Alan Bell and his staff at The Scottish Centre for Personal Safety, I was an entirely different person.
“Frightened to walk alone at night and jumping at any perceived threat or raised voice, I walked with a hunched posture, eyes to the ground and listening for any sign of threat.
“On a social level I felt limited and emasculated by my disability.
“Now I find myself standing tall as a qualified instructor, surrounded by colleagues who helped build me up to be the confident person I am today.”
Michael continued: “When I am in public spaces I move with confidence, safe in the knowledge that were I to be confronted by an aggressor my training would kick in and I would know when and how to defend myself.
“I am completely stunned and over the moon to have received this award.”
Since becoming an instructor Michael has been travelling to Ardrossan, North Ayrshire, every week to pass on his skills to other people with low or no vision who attend a centre run by The Scottish Centre for Personal Safety.
News of Michael’s success with his classes and his transformation from a stay-at-home person to an outgoing teacher reached Martial Arts Illustrated and he was nominated for their Hall of Fame student award.
North Ayrshire and Arran MP Patricia Gibson paid Michael a surprise visit to present him with his award.
Alan Bell, executive manager and principal trainer of The Scottish Centre for Personal Safety, said: “All of our instructors have their qualifications ratified through the British Martial Arts and Boxing Association and Martial Arts Illustrated is the largest martial arts magazine in the UK so to get a student award from them is very prestigious and a great honour, not only for Michael but for myself as his instructor.
“It’s a proud day for all of us and I am delighted that the local MP could come along to present Michael with his award.”
A year ago I was an entirely different person. Now I stand tall. Michael McAllister