Ian Rose: "Achieving is created by vision and has nothing to do with sight."

I was inspired to meet Paralympian and Judo champ Ian Rose and want to share his story.

Ian is a Paralympic Medallist, Motivational Speaker and Workshop Facilitator on Goal Setting & Achievement. He was a Torchbearer and Opening Ceremony performer for the London 2012 Paralympic Games, winner of 2 Paralympic, 5 World Championship and 9 European Championship Medals.

Born in 1972 Ian contracted eye cancer (Retinablastoma) and lost his left eye and most of the sight in his right. Following many operations Ian was left with an indent on the right side of his face and having to wear some pretty thick glasses.

He was bullied at school. At the age of 7 Ian’s parents, realised that he needed help to improve his self-esteem, as he was coming home from school some afternoons in tears after being teased about the way he looked. Little did they know how the next step they took for him, would inpact on his life so much. Ian was introduced to the sport of Judo and 2 coaches called Ron Cleere and John Oke, who accepted him into Micklefield Judo Club and treated him exactly the same as the other members, with no special treatment because of his eyes.

From that point on Judo became a big part of Ian’s life and within 3 months the teasing he received about his looks stopped, because he now had new confidence.

Ian was not a natural at Judo taking 2 years to win his first medal, but worked very hard in training and had a passion for success. The longer this went on the better Ian got and he received his first International selection in 1989 whilst still in the last year at secondary school.

Competing in the European Visually Impaired Championships was a dream come true and the beginning of an international sporting career that would see him travel the world, winning 2 Paralympic medals, a World Championships and 4 European Championships.

Ian is one of Great Britain’s most successful Paralympic Judoka. Retiring in 2011, Ian was on course to represent ParalympicsGB at his 6th Games in London, but due to an injury in training he called it a day, bringing to an end a glittering international career spanning 22 years at the top.

Ian now focusses on motivating and inspiring others to achieve their full potential.

Ian say's: "life is full of opportunity, don’t let it pass by."

www.ianrose.co.uk