12/11/2025
Today we said goodbye to Richard. His family and friends gave him a beautiful send off full of love and laughter.
I have taught Richard for over 2 years as a private client. Richard had a complex neurological condition that stole his body from him. He was never going to get better. He was always fighting to just stay the same.
Teaching Richard has been one of the greatest privileges of my teaching career and I will be forever grateful that he was sent my way despite the way it felt to say goodbye.
Richard taught me way more than I can ever have hoped to have taught him. He taught me about facing adversity with balls and humour. He taught me about the depths of human resilience and about courage.
Teaching Richard was not straight forwards. Simply getting on and off the equipment took strength (his), nerves of steel (mine) and giggles. In fact we laughed ALOT. Things regularly didn’t work, or went awry and as a result I have become a more creative and open minded teacher.
After two years of procrastinating, becoming Richard’s teacher pushed me to finally commit to my comprehensive. It was clear I needed a holistic and evidence based approach to best serve him. From day one I knew it was the best decision I had made in a long time.
So many of my clients are already benefiting from what I learnt teaching Richard.
His Monday slot will remain empty and is now earmarked for my personal practice for my exam. When I pass that exam it will be in honour of this remarkable client.
Lovely Richard I will miss our chats after your sessions
(whilst I tidied up ALL the equipment I had got out) and hearing about your beautiful family Wendy, Bertie, Jess and Terry your dog.
I would say Rest in Peace but knowing you, no one will be resting with you around 🥰