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In Touch: Retirement angst, Self-defence

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20/06/2017

Retirement angst, Self-defence

BBC Radio 4 - In Touch, Retirement angst, Self-defence

One blind man teaches self-defence to others; concerns about leaving the world of work.

Listener Mike Kelly talks of his worries about retiring. Emma Tracey learns how to defend herself and use her cane as an improvised weapon.

Listener Mike Kelly lost his sight in his thirties, shortly after he'd finished his training as an architect. He underwent intensive rehabilitation and has had a successful full time career in the civil service. Now aged 65 Mike has chosen to retire. Mixed in with the excitement of starting a new chapter in his life, he has some fears and concerns as well.

David Black who has Retinitis Pigmentosa was attacked three times. Despite having studied martial arts he felt unable to defend himself as a blind person. He sought help from a charity in Scotland which runs self-defence courses for disabled people. David's confidence has sky-rocketed since and he now teaches the same course which helped to boost his confidence, to other blind people. 

Emma Tracey from BBC Ouch went along to meet David and and pick up one or two self-defence tricks.

Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Lee Kumutat.

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