Kathy Hilditch is 61 years old. She lives in Southgate and graduated with a BSc in Acupuncture from LCTA in 2009. She is currently studying Tui Na. Kathy is a Barristers Clerk and is retiring on 1st April 2010 to practice acupuncture full-time. Here she talks about her experience as a mature student at LCTA:
What made you decide to retrain?
I wanted a new career that I would enjoy when I retired.
How did you find LCTA?
I came to the Teaching Clinic for treatment in 2003.
What were the main factors that influenced your choice of College?
It had a good reputation and was near to home.
What was your favourite aspect of the course?
The chance to learn.
What were your fellow students like?
They were all very nice.
What did you think of the LCTA staff and tutors?
They were great.
Was the course/College what you expected it to be?
It’s so long since I studied that I did not have any fixed ideas. So it was completely new to me.
What was it like to be a student at LCTA?
It was great fun at my age!
What kind of practice do you run and where are you based?
I already practice from home and I will be in the City of London in a practice very soon.
What was the transition from student to practitioner like for you?
It was inspiring and a little daunting at times. I still can’t believe it!
Is there anything you would have done differently?
I should have believed in myself more.
Now that you are back at LCTA, how have you found the first few weeks of your tui na course?
I was in two minds whether to start in September rather than March as I thought it may be too much with starting my practice. I decided to go for it, and have found it really helpful. It’s refreshing my knowledge all the time.
Are you enjoying being more hands on?
I love the more hands on approach and the palpation skills are invaluable. I now really feel that this will be great to run alongside my first year in practice. I also wanted to do Qi Gong to cultivate my Qi and energy, for my practice and general good health.
Was it easier to get yourself into it having already done the acupuncture course?
I’m still at work but I finish next week so I will be able to study at a more leisurely pace than before, which became very difficult when I was doing the acupuncture degree. I can’t wait to have more time to myself and be more relaxed about everything.
Just before I started Tui Na my mother had a massive stroke. She has reached a great age, nearly 94, and sadly will not recover, so my life has become even more complicated with the inevitable about to happen. I was looking forward to spending more time with her and giving her more attention, so I’m very sad about that and she was looking forwarded to it as well, how cruel life can be! I really feel as though one chapter in my life is closing and another is about to begin. Tui Na will be good for me to focus on.
What are you plans for the future?
I would like to build a good practice and get a good name for myself.
Do you have any tips for current or prospective students of TCM?
Keep going, it’s worth it.
Chinese medicine training - naturally outstanding 
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