[ about the YKKF ] [ calendar of events ] [ YKKF clubs ] [ martial arts for the disabled ] [ testimonials ] [ send an email ] [ useful links ]	Article For MADEC Newsletter Martial Arts for the Disabled By Barry Mitchell It was by chance that 1991 necessitated a change in venue for my Dojo and we started using the facilities at, what was known then, as the Mike Heaffey Sports Centre and is now the Aspire National Training Centre (Aspire - Association for Spinal Injuries Research and Rehabilitation - a registered charity). The Centre, designed by Sir Norman Foster and officially opened by Princess Diana, is located on the grounds of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, North London and is, I believe, the largest sports centre in Europe, dedicated to integrated sports for both the able bodied and the disabled. It was some four years later that I was approached by the Aspire management, asking if I had ever considered teaching martial arts to the disabled. The truth is - I hadn't. It had never entered my mind. I said I would think about it but I admit now, I had grave misgivings. Could 'they' do it? Was I capable of teaching them? Would it be acceptable to my Sensei? What about gradings? Every question spawned more questions. And so, for a year, I thought about it. In 1992 the Centre organised a day's coaching session on coaching the disabled and they said that, to help me make up my mind, they would sponsor me to attend. The main thing that I learned was that there was nothing special to learn. Nothing to fear, except fear alone. Just use common sense and teach as you ordinarily would. But what finally convinced me was, when I read a book that was loaned to me by the centre, about Karate training for the disabled. I don't easily get annoyed but this book was so disgusting and so angered me that I thought if that is the best that is around, then I have an obligation to teach martial arts to the disabled. I thought, very carefully, about how I would teach the art and gave myself some ground rules, which were modified as I gained more experience: Do not change anything that does not need to be changed. Make the karate work for the individual. If changes or variations need to be introduced, try to keep to the spirit and the rhythm of the original. Of course I made mistakes but we are all learning and my students were gentle with me and were very forgiving. I am sometimes asked how many disabled students I have and my answer is always the same. I have students, some of whom are disabled. The reality is that, as far as I am concerned, anybody that comes to me for the first time is disabled and the only difference between the disabled and the so called able-bodied is the degree of the disability. Everybody that trains at our Dojo has benefited from being involved with fully integrated karate classes. We have learned to be inclusive and not exclusive. I am always amazed at the amount of so called instructors who have such blinkered vision. If you can kick and punch and block like this you're in. If you can't kick like this, maybe because you're in a wheelchair or you can't punch with full power because you only have one arm, you'll never be in. What nonsense! If a person trains hard to perfect their skills, studies to increase their knowledge, learns humility and respects their fellow man, then isn't such a person equally deserving of the coveted black belt? Our children also benefit. A few months ago I paid an unexpected visit to a class and entered the Dojo just as the instruction went out to 'pair up'. As usual people partnered who ever they were the closest to and my heart was filled with joy when I observed able-bodied children pair up with disabled children without giving it a moment's thought. It was all very ordinary. I am proud to say that we are educating a generation of children who have no fear of the disabled, who know no embarrassment about talking to the disabled or training with the disabled and see it all as being very ordinary. And in return, the disabled learn not to lower their self-esteem because of their disability. They not only learn to respect others but also learn to respect themselves. And, of course, they experience all the benefits that everybody experiences in terms of improved confidence, fitness, co-ordination and, last but not least, how to defend themselves. We believe that martial arts is for everybody who seeks it. Martial arts provides a vehicle to enable a person to become the best individual they were ever destined to be. It is incumbent, therefore, on every dojo to open its doors to everybody that is sincere in wishing to learn the martial way and enjoy its benefits. When an individual overcomes the severest obstacles it is everybody's success. In 1997 I was privileged to be present at the World Kobudo Championships, in Okinawa and saw one of our Canadian members being placed in the Kata competition. I think he won a silver medal. He is totally blind. In order to give instructors an insight as to what it is like to teach to the disabled, a colleague, Terry Taylor, and myself started, what has now become, The National Martial Arts Disability Road Show. This is a day where instructors from about 10 different styles give their time to give taster sessions to disabled people from and around the local community. We usually get 200 - 300 participants involved in what always proves to be an exhausting and fun-packed day. The next tour will take place at the Aspire National Training Centre on Tuesday 19th September. Barry Mitchell 26th July 2000