Students with different abilities

[Sharkwith7]

For the past ten years or so, my club has entertained students with different abilities, i.e. autism, downs syndrome, wheel chair bound, and other physical disabilities. One of our students, suffering from spinal bifida, was told by five clubs prior to ours, that they could not teach him karate. After six year of training, lots of innovative modification to all of our kata, he earned his shodan (he has no use of his legs). Teaching these students is primarily handled by Sensei Pat Murphy, but I have assisted through the years. These students have incredible character and teaching them is very rewarding. They range in age from 10 years to young adult. Has anyone else tried or had success with similar programs?

[dodwatt]

Hi, i'm pleased to see that someone is doing something for people with disabilities. This is something that i am interested in, as i deal with learning disabilities every day in my profession, so i'll be watching this post with great interest, well done

[fujicolt]

For the past ten years or so, my club has entertained students with different abilities, i.e. autism, downs syndrome, wheel chair bound, and other physical disabilities. One of our students, suffering from spinal bifida, was told by five clubs prior to ours, that they could not teach him karate. After six year of training, lots of innovative modification to all of our kata, he earned his shodan (he has no use of his legs). Teaching these students is primarily handled by Sensei Pat Murphy, but I have assisted through the years. These students have incredible character and teaching them is very rewarding. They range in age from 10 years to young adult. Has anyone else tried or had success with similar programs?

Yes, several times and it has been a joy and an inspiration everytime. I really admire what you are doing = respect

[kensei]

as a father of a child with special needs I can not tell you how happy I am and inspired by you. My daughter may never strap on a gi and Obi but she still loves to see daddy teach in his white PJ's.

I have taught a few kids with special needs before my Emma came along, every time I think they taught me more than I did them. and I can say they prepaired me more than I did them.

[Sharkwith7]

Thanks, guys

Pat Murphy is the key to our different abilities program, however I fell into it because I have a son suffering from early onset bipolar I disorder. I put him in Karate 14 years ago, he is 23 now, and he stuck with it 12 years before reaching shodan. The structure of the training, the methodical drilling, set patterns, individual goal setting and individual achievement standard seems to be the key. All the things you would find in traditional MA training. I have seen magical results with autistic kids as well. If anyone thinking about this kind of expansion needs ideas for a curriculum, please feel free to contact me or Pat, we will gladly share any ideas. It is a win win pursuit.

Rob Medansky

RMedansky@aol.com

Murphsensei@yahoo.com

Check out some pictures of our kids

WWW.Konjokarate.com

[nathanso]

Here,s a great story about a MMA fighter who is clearly pretty able despite his "little arm"- be sure to watch the video.