'Zumba has saved my life': Fincham instructor Russ Welch who is 85% deaf shares his story
When Russ Welch first discovered Zumba, it changed his life. After experiencing what he describes as a bad childhood, he decided it was time to move away with his husband to West Norfolk to start afresh.
He started Zumba classes in Downham after being encouraged to try it by a friend, and from that point on, he loved it so much that he decided to become an instructor.
“I became an instructor in 2016, but started classes a year later as I didn’t have the confidence at the time,” said Russ.
He added: “I had to take it steady with my spine condition, but overtime Zumba has really helped. I’m 25% more flexible than I was.
“Before, my doctor said I shouldn’t do Zumba, but I did it anyway.”
Russ has Ankylosing Spondylitis, an inflammatory condition which can cause some bones in the spine to fuse together over time.
Despite this, Russ continues to do Zumba to benefit both his physical and mental health.
He said that Zumba has changed his life, after growing up in a home where he received abuse for his sexuality.
“I had a bad childhood, my father abused me a lot for being gay and I didn’t have a happy childhood," he said.
“It was my father who abused me when my mum and dad separated - my mum is absolutely fantastic.
“Me and my husband decided to move away from it all, for a fresh start, and then through my job working with people with special needs is where I discovered Zumba.”
Russ is 85% deaf and communicates with people through lip reading, he also knows sign language and incorporates it into some of his routines.
He also has a bluetooth device that pairs with his hearing aid so he can listen to music and practise at home.
The floor vibrations help when he is teaching, using a speaker with a high bass, he feels the beat of the music and creates a routine through the vibrations.
“I don’t know any of the lyrics to the songs we dance to, but I just sing anyway,” said Russ.
He said being able to do his job is a "dream come true" and advises others to also follow their dreams.
“With having Ankylosing Spondylitis and being 85% deaf, being a Zumba instructor and dancing on stage was my dream come true.
"For those who have special needs and have dreams, go for it. Don’t worry about what other people think, you should do what you’ve always dreamed of.
“I’m dyslexic and I’ve struggled with what to say but I keep doing what I love, and I find a way to make it work best for my deafness.”
Russ started teaching Zumba in Downham back in 2017 and has since moved over to Fincham Village hall where he teaches twice a week.
“The more classes I’ve taught, my confidence builds up from there,” said Russ.
“My classes have got bigger and bigger, when I first started in Fincham, people were quiet and didn’t make much noise, but now I’ve encouraged people to make noise and have fun.”
Russ encourages anybody to come and give Zumba a go, no matter what your age or ability is.
His ethos is: “There is no right or wrong way to do a Zumba class, calories don’t know if you’re not moving right or left. They’ll fall away no matter how you move as long as you’re giving it a go, and most importantly having fun.”
And it’s not just Russ who believes that. Many of those who attend his class have praised their instructor for helping their physical and mental health.
One of them is Julie Taylor who started going to Zumba after lockdown.
Julie said: “Sometimes you have to think about Russ being deaf, you start talking to him when he’s turned away and forget he can’t hear you!”
She added: “There’s a real community feel here, all different people and ages too, we call it our Zumba family.
“It’s all fun here, you don’t know what people are going through, we want people to get out and have fun.”
Another member, Gemma, said: “It doesn’t matter what your ability is, you're moving and that’s the main thing.”
Russ also publishes Zumba tutorials on his YouTube channel, some of which incorporate sign language.
Russ said: “I love using sign language, at Christmas we do Zumba and sign language to Christmas songs.”
Julie added: “It made us all feeling emotional, some of us were crying!”
Russ holds twice-weekly classes at Fincham Village hall on Mondays and Thursdays from 6.30-7.30pm.
“Zumba has saved my life, without it, I’d be depressed,” Russ said.
“Its helped me get through it all.”
