I’ve been thinking of writing this blog for a while, but to be honest, I’ve not had the guts to write it. But I have now, for one reason and one reason only.

As a disabled instructor, I feel I automatically get judged by other instructors, that I only teach low impact classes. Or they don’t want me to cover there classes or take part in there events because I have a disability. How would they feel being me? Firstly having to live with a disability which makes general living harder for starters, then being judged when they haven’t even been to one of my classes or seen me teach for over 4 years? Then seeing all other local instructors be part of charity events but never get asked – How would they feel? Don’t ever judge an instructor who you’ve not been to one of their classes especially in the last month.

I’m coming up to my 5th year as a Zumba instructor and my 4th as a Clubbercise instructor. I would not still be teaching if I was just teaching low impact or I wasn’t any good. Let alone present at the biggest fitness conventions in the UK including IFS!

Where I taught Zumba. I’m the only disabled instructor, but the only instructor that’s still there 41/2 years on. All the instructors that were there when I started have all been dropped due to low numbers or not being right. My class has had the most numbers for the past 2 years. This class is full of gym bunnies and an ETM instructor, who’s been coming the whole time I’ve been there! If I was that bad an instructor, how come my class is the most popular? And it’s a high impact class!

In today’s society people judge far too quickly, they don’t put themselves in other people’s positions, so imagine your a fitness professional, you teach classes and you wake up one morning not being able to move your legs, let alone walk on them! First of all, how are you going to even get up, get in the shower & get dressed and do your normal daily routine? Have you a car you can get into and drive? Would you need hand controls? How would you get to work? This can happen to anyone, at any time, and to those that think it would never happen to them? Think again! So please, never exclude a disabled Fitpro, be it intentional or not.

Disabled people in general are more lonely, isolated and their daily living costs are higher than an able bodied person. So make an effort to include everyone as you do not know what they are dealing with privately.