England’s first blind fitness instructor

James O’Driscoll is the first blind person in England to become a qualified fitness instructor.

On qualifying, the 37-year-old from Bromley in Kent said: “Becoming physically active changed my life, taking me from a place of depression to happiness.

“Now I’m seeking to give as many other people the opportunity to experience the life-enhancing benefits of getting and keeping fit.”

James enrolled and trained alongside non-disabled students on a CYQ (Central YMCA Qualifications) Level 2 course, leading to an internationally recognised fitness instructor qualification. CYQ are the UK’s leading health and fitness awarding body.

As well as setting a solo precedent, James’ achievement marks a first for the fitness industry and leads the way for future blind students to become fitness instructors and on training courses that could be fully inclusive (open to applicants with and without disabilities).

Eleven years ago, James was a vivacious young man with a solid career in construction and a bustling social life. All that changed overnight when one morning he woke up and found he couldn’t see out of one eye. Six weeks later, James had lost complete sight in both eyes, finding out that he had a rare form of Optic Neuropathy, a condition affecting around 1 in 20 million people.

“I can’t explain the huge emotional and mental, as well as physical impact this had on me,” says James. “I ended up losing my girlfriend, flat and job and gradually became more and more depressed, turning into a recluse and living a life comprising of sitting indoors, smoking, drinking and eating take-aways.”

It took a couple years for James to come to terms with his condition, but once he did, his life began to move on quickly. He learnt Braille in three months, became an avid reader, and joined the gym.

“As I got fitter and more physically active, I regained my interest in life and wanted to do something meaningful.” James became a classroom assistant for children attending a local education college for students with a visual impairment. He developed his role by becoming a mentor and volunteer fitness advisor, passionately encouraging kids and adults coming to the college to use the gym after school hours. His success with the students (the gym at the college had never been busier!) ignited James’ calling to a career in fitness.

Trainees undertake the same training

The fitness instructor course James enrolled on was held at London South Bank University (LSBU).

James was expected to fulfil the same criteria for the theory and practical components of the course.  He received additional support (funded by The London Sports Forum for Disabled People and LSBU) by way of the provision of audio translation, an assistant for practical sessions (see below) and care for his guide dog while he was in practical sessions.

The Eyes of the Instructor

James delivers fitness instruction to a client a using a model called ‘The Eyes of the Instructor’. An assistant acts as James’ ‘eyes’, enabling him to gain information about the clients’ physical safety, exercise performance and technique by verbal comment, questioning and prompting. The Assistant does not offer information freely, but is directed by James who leads the session.

James will have the support of an Eyes Assistant once he takes up employment as a Fitness Instructor in his local health club.

“Now I view losing my sight as the best thing that ever happened to me. It made me rethink the way I lived, thought and behaved. It developed me mentally and emotionally and has brought me to a place where I can help others get motivated to lead a more active life.”

The RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) have congratulated James; their Inclusive Society Director, Fazilet Hadi, said:

"As his experience highlights, losing sight is devastating.  When you lose your sight, you lose more than your ability to see - you lose the life you once had and the future you had expected.  James is proof that with the right support and services, blind and partially sighted people can find their lives again.  We wish him all the very best with his new career and hope that other people will find inspiration in his story."