Allison James
Allison left school at 16 with three GCSEs and, later that year, became a single mother when her son was born. When he was a little older, she worked as a part-time care assistant, but had to give up work because of a back problem which left her in constant pain. By that time, Allison was married with a young daughter and the doctors told her that she would need to use a wheelchair in two years because three of her spinal discs were crumbling.
On her mum’s recommendation, Allison joined a yoga class and soon found that it was making a huge difference to her back problems. “I had less pain, I was more mobile. It was not a miracle cure and I still take painkillers, but it is much better.”
After three years, in 2004, she began a two-year yoga-teaching course – gaining a teaching certificate. “It was total commitment”, she explains. “It affected the whole family – my daughter and son and husband all had to make space for me to study. My son and I have always had to work hard at our studies to succeed; it’s never come easy for us, but we’ve been determined. My son is studying to be a doctor and we egged each other on”.
Now self-employed, Allison also helps voluntarily at two classes a week working with frail, elderly and ill people to support their learning, health, wellbeing and personal development.
“Allison’s learning has enabled her to find employment in a job that she loves, helping other people”, says her nominator, Anne Staines.
