Another cool thing about Saturday's black belt test

[pegkerr]

I wanted to mention another thing about the test: one of the people who received a black belt was a man with Down's syndrome. The sensei who awarded him his belt was the only one that his family could find who was willing to teach him (everywhere else had turned him down) and had been working with him for ten years to help him get to this day. I was mostly preoccupied with Delia's performance, of course, but I watched him a bit. His yells always came a half second after everyone else's, but they were just as loud and intense. He did the Zhang du Moon form.

When he was awarded the belt, the entire place, hundreds of people, gave him a thunderous standing ovation. I can only imagine how proud his family must be.

That was cool.

Comments

[pinguthegreek.livejournal.com]

You know, that gives me hope. And that is so much more real than any phoney statement Sarah Palin could make about her son and what she might be like as VP.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

Sarah Palin doesn't know anything about her son's disability, except that he has one.

K. [I AM NOT A DEFENDER OF SARAH PALIN. But someone I love has Down Syndrome]

[pinguthegreek.livejournal.com]

I know, I have a disability. But that part of the speech bugged me because she only just gave birth to a Downs child. There are so many issues. My reason for posting about what Peg described is because it showed that there are people who are willing to give someone with a learning disability a fair crack at something that's tougher for them, but not impossible with the right support. Much more important than any legislation.

[buttonlass.livejournal.com]

Hey! Someone I love has Down Syndrome! Huh.:)

[rachet.livejournal.com]

That choked me up. how wonderful.

[glinda-w.livejournal.com]

That is cool beyond words.

[lollardfish.livejournal.com]

Thanks a lot Peg.

This kind of story helps, even as we try to train ourselves to think of meaningful life without standard levels of achievement.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Believe me, I thought of buttonfish when I watched them tie that belt on. I hope that he'll find something he truly cares about that he can work toward, and that he'll find people to support him along the way.

I have a lot of respect for that sensei for giving his student a chance to show what he could do.

(I've probably said it before, but I luuuurrrrvvvve your icon.)

[lollardfish.livejournal.com]

Yup. As much as I am so happy for the man, the sensei and the family deserve a lot of credit.

[faeryguinevere.livejournal.com]

That story gave me goosebumps. Thank you for sharing it.

[lilisonna.livejournal.com]

That's a great story. Go him.

[aome.livejournal.com]

That is awesome.

[cakmpls.livejournal.com]

That brought tears to my eyes.

Although she later decided martial arts was not what she wanted to do, I will never forget the day Em--at the time about 9 or 10--broke a board with her hand, and I was seeing the 15-month-old who came to us unable to sit up unaided or hold her own bottle.

[roadnotes.livejournal.com]

Oh, that is a wonderful piece of news. Thank you!

[flourish.livejournal.com]

That is super cool.

[vass]

That is absolutely wonderful.