DON'T TELL ME I CAN'T…...get a black belt in karate

Andrea O’Driscoll found a hobby which she loves

- Emma Rossiter

Stepping on to the hardwood floor I took a deep breath. As I made my way through each punch, kick and block, I felt my adrenaline pumping and smiled, knowing that I’d soon be receiving the highest honour in karate, my black belt.

Growing up I was never into sport. Even as a teen, I didn’t have any hobbies.

My husband Pat and I met when we were 17 and two years later we were married. In 1986 we welcomed our first child, David, followed by Laura in 1988 and Megan in 1997. Between running a house and my job at a pre-school, it left little time for anything else.

Besides, it was more important to make sure the kids got to do what they enjoyed – so I was always driving them to football, swimming and gymnastics.