A blind man from Cwmbran is studying at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford to become a qualified massage therapist.
Charlie Parkinson, aged 39, lives in Pontnewydd with Nelson, his guide dog.
He said: “The course I’m doing is holistic therapy massage and on-site massage. It’s a one year course done in just over five months. It’s going great, really good. I’m getting good feedback.
“I’ve picked it up fairly quickly considering I’ve lost all sight. Our sense of touch is a lot more emphasised. So we can find the knots and the problems a lot quicker that somebody probably who is fully sighted. But that’s only with experience as well which is something I’m wishing to get on with in due course.”
He recently travelled to Newport to give massages to staff at Network Rail and ABC Electrification.
“At the Royal National College for the Blind, we are firm believers that learning does not just take place in the classroom, as our massage students are finding out… This week they have been out and about in Newport, hosting a massage clinic for employees of Network Rail and ABC Electrification as they promote health and wellbeing amongst their staff.”
Photo Credits
Photos courtesy of the Royal National College for the Blind’s Facebook page.