A view of Martial Arts for someone who is disabled

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Aikido from a wheelchair 
Sensei Jon writes "A view of Martial Arts for someone who is disabled 

Several years ago whilst teaching a class I observed a young man who was watching the class from a wheelchair. I could see from the centre of my Aikido mat that he was very interested in what was going on. 

During a break for cold drinks I had the opportunity to have a conversation with him. 
After introducing ourselves to each other I learned that he had been watching several of my classes looking through a window so he would not be seen. He explained that he was very shy and it took a lot of courage to actually come into the practice room. 

He said that although he could see the Aikido demonstrations, he could not hear what was being said and his curiosity to find out more brought him into the room. 
He said that although he could see the Aikido demonstrations, he could not hear what was being said and his curiosity to find out more brought him into the room. 
I have practices with and taught the none sighted, people with hearing loss also students without speech, at some point over the last 25 years, I said to him �What�s stopping you taking up Aikido.) 
I said you have already taken several lessons just by observing, so you have actually visually and mentally started to be a martial artist. He said I never thought about it like that. He thanked me and said he would think about it and left the room to go back with his friends in an adjoining room. 

After the break I told the class that I was going to do a demonstrate Aikido from a chair 
Which was duly placed in the middle of the mat by my assistant. After explaining to the class that Aikido is possible to be practiced by anyone even if they have disabilities, 
The only proviso is it is up to the instructor to access the students limits (he/she may need a Doctors approval, say for a heart condition) so common sense is an issue. 

I duly did the demo from the chair which required only upper body movements and doing so noticed from the corner of my eye my friend again watching from afar. 

Peter was hooked and the next lesson was his first. After helping him out of his chair we found that his best and most comfortable place was the safety of the corner of the matted area. It is taught that at the end of each technique students change partners so Peter trained with everyone including myself from his corner of the mat. He had a white Aikido suit on during practice and if he could he would have gone home wearing it because he was so proud. 

This is the beauty of Aikido. 
It does not require vision or to hear it only requires you to be able to feel. 
If a leg is disabled, you have upper body movement as in Peter�s case. 
If blind you can sense touch. 

Of course there are limitations but that is down to the instructor and support staff to determine. 

After some time he took Gradings in the art of Aikido. His Grading was no different from anyone else (only modified to his needs). 

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Arthur Crown Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Location: Newcastle Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Arthur Crown Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: A view of Martial Arts for someone who is disabled Posted: 18 Jul 2008 at 4:53pm
	Aikido from a wheelchair Sensei Jon writes "A view of Martial Arts for someone who is disabled Several years ago whilst teaching a class I observed a young man who was watching the class from a wheelchair. I could see from the centre of my Aikido mat that he was very interested in what was going on. During a break for cold drinks I had the opportunity to have a conversation with him. After introducing ourselves to each other I learned that he had been watching several of my classes looking through a window so he would not be seen. He explained that he was very shy and it took a lot of courage to actually come into the practice room. He said that although he could see the Aikido demonstrations, he could not hear what was being said and his curiosity to find out more brought him into the room. He said that although he could see the Aikido demonstrations, he could not hear what was being said and his curiosity to find out more brought him into the room. I have practices with and taught the none sighted, people with hearing loss also students without speech, at some point over the last 25 years, I said to him �What�s stopping you taking up Aikido.) I said you have already taken several lessons just by observing, so you have actually visually and mentally started to be a martial artist. He said I never thought about it like that. He thanked me and said he would think about it and left the room to go back with his friends in an adjoining room. After the break I told the class that I was going to do a demonstrate Aikido from a chair Which was duly placed in the middle of the mat by my assistant. After explaining to the class that Aikido is possible to be practiced by anyone even if they have disabilities, The only proviso is it is up to the instructor to access the students limits (he/she may need a Doctors approval, say for a heart condition) so common sense is an issue. I duly did the demo from the chair which required only upper body movements and doing so noticed from the corner of my eye my friend again watching from afar. Peter was hooked and the next lesson was his first. After helping him out of his chair we found that his best and most comfortable place was the safety of the corner of the matted area. It is taught that at the end of each technique students change partners so Peter trained with everyone including myself from his corner of the mat. He had a white Aikido suit on during practice and if he could he would have gone home wearing it because he was so proud. This is the beauty of Aikido. It does not require vision or to hear it only requires you to be able to feel. If a leg is disabled, you have upper body movement as in Peter�s case. If blind you can sense touch. Of course there are limitations but that is down to the instructor and support staff to determine. After some time he took Gradings in the art of Aikido. His Grading was no different from anyone else (only modified to his needs).
	"That went Quick" words on tombstone.

SteveBillett Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 30 Jun 2008 Status: Offline Points: 6668	Post Options Post Reply Quote SteveBillett Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21 Jul 2008 at 12:35pm
	What an excellent lesson for all coaches. Maybe this should be repeated in the coaching forum.
	Steve Billett 6th Dan Tomiki Chairman Aikido Development Society

Sue Ward Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group CP Moderator Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Status: Offline Points: 14	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sue Ward Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21 Jul 2008 at 4:51pm
	Hi Arthur I couldn't agree with Steve more - this kind of post is just what's needed to open up the world of aikido. One of the first things I did when we joined the BAB was ask for guidance on access and equity (unfortunately the BAB doesn't have an equity officer). We have always done quite a good job with facilitating people who have additional training needs. (I think there has only been on instance where we had to decline membership in quite extreme circumstances - where a child with learning difficulties had extremely violent outbursts which put other children at risk.) One of our club members (in a wheelchair) performed 13 jo to perfection. And we have also had blind participants too. As you say, all things are possible - with the right club and the right coach. We have problems at our permanent dojo because we are on the first floor of a building with no possibility of a lift. But we offer sessions with 'access for all' at a local leisure centre to ensure that our sessions are available to those with mobility issues. It's so easy to just assume that people with physical or learning challenges cannot take part in activities such as aikido. I have heard some amazing stories about wheelchair aikidoka. We have also had quite severely disabled participants on the mat. It's been a coaching challenge in some instances - and it's sometimes hard to find the information to enable participation to the fullest extent. But you can learn so much from sharing practice with someone with different abilities. Steve - can you transfer this thread over the the coaching section and ask Frank to respond with some ideas on resources and information for coaches. Once again - thanks for the great, inspirational post. Sue

lunar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 21 Aug 2008 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote lunar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21 Aug 2008 at 5:31pm
	For information there is a very cool Japanese movie called Aiki which is about a guy who turns to aikijujutsu (Roppokai I think) after a serious accident put him in a wheelchair. It's a great movie and it's subtitled in English.