Dan Wallgren tells us about his work teaching martial arts and self defence internationally (BSL)

I’ve been teaching for 48 years now. When I teach I make sure all of my students receive all information as clearly as possible. Lots of deaf people had hearing teachers who spoke, there is a risk there if information is missed or not communicated clearly.

I teach a variety of groups. Women especially benefit from self defence if there is abuse of some kind and even men benefit from learning self defence too, it gives you assertiveness and confidence in yourself. I have also worked with children to teach them how to keep themselves safe and for those who have been subject to abuse.

I have even worked in hospitals, high risk places, supporting nurses too. I can communicate with hearing people without issue even though I am a sign language user. I am a very clear communicator.

After I met my wife we moved here to Wales and I have lived here for four years so far. My training in Sweden had to close down. I thought it would be easy to transfer the work here but I found it so difficult at the start.

There’s a real shortage of information out there which I found really confusing, this was made worse by the coronavirus pandemic so everything was shut and I was stuck at home in a difficult position.

I experienced negative attitudes from English hearing people who were reluctant to provide information or support, I felt inferior to them as I am deaf and treated differently.

Fortunately now things are progressing since the pandemic and I have White Crane Centre here in Wales.

I have since met another deaf instructor but they don’t use sign, they use spoken English only so it was difficult to connect. I still feel strongly about raising awareness of the martial arts and self defence that I practise and teach.

Although I live in Wales I have opened up my work to the entirety of the UK. My vision is for my business to grow and to teach all kinds of people across the UK, that is my dream and what I hope for. Whether you are deaf, hearing, hard of hearing, I am happy to work with you.

There are so many psychological benefits to learning self defence and martial arts. As well as becoming physically powerful it enables you to feel more assertive and less likely to be picked on or attacked. It can help with your psychological strength and mental wellbeing.

Depression seems to be prevalent in society at the moment but practising these methods can really affect your mood positively. You can become happier, feel inspired to achieve your ambitions

, get a job, and generally feel more determined in your life.

I feel strongly that deaf and hearing people should be treated equally and given equal opportunities. I see a difference between attitudes to deaf people here compared to in Sweden.

Here, I feel there’s more of an emphasis on disability and deafness being seen as a disability. But in Sweden, especially in the martial arts field I feel we are seen on a more equal level.

I am able to travel across the UK, offer training, give talks, share information and make the language of martial arts and self defence more accessible and deaf-friendly.

I have achieved so much in my life, thriving in 18 different sports and becoming a 9th dan, I hope other deaf people realise they have the potential to do anything they set their minds on.”

You can contact Dan and enquire about his work here.