MARK HORNBY

What are the qualities of a Black Belt? Courage? Determination? Perseverance?. These are the questions I asked at our annual Awards ceremony just before Christmas. The reason I  asked this to the guests that night is that many people just associate a Black Belt with high quality skills & physical techniques. However, a true Black Belt will keep going even in times of adversity & challenges.

In January 2000, the year the Academy opened, Mr Robert Hornby brought his son, Mark, to receive lesson from myself. The difference was that Mark was in a wheelchair & had been since 1986. Mark couldn’t straighten his right leg & his posture was very forward & closed. Week in week out Mark has hardly missed a session in over 8 years!! I am pleased to say Marks posture is so much more erect & can now easily bend his leg. He has trained with a Martial Arts theme & has broke boards, performed kicks & strikes along with weapons & self defence skills.

More importantly Mark has learnt to stand unaided. Marks mum Liz informed me that Marks doctors said he would never walk again!!!

Well, Mark & I don’t accept that because I know Marks mind & it’s a mind of a Black Belt & I am very proud to award him a honorary Black Belt for his dedication & determination to succeed.

A special mention should also go to Liz, Marks Mum & Bob, his Dad.   Week in week out Liz brings him & whatever challenges she has faced that week she has a smile on her face.