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from the September, 2009 issue of Kiai!
Adapted Seido Karate
Thousand Waves recognizes that people with disabilities experience violence at highly elevated rates and that youth are among the most frequent targets of bullying. We felt it was very important to respond to this situation by creating an ongoing program to serve young people with disabilities. Fortunately, we were able to create a partnership with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC), the Midwest's premier medical facility addressing the needs of individuals with physical challenges.
By combining the strengths and resources of our two organizations, we have been able to create a highly successful Adapted Seido Karate Program within RIC. The program is coordinated by a dynamic team including Senpai Rebecca Angevine, a Thousand Waves staff instructor, and Dr. Max Kuroda, a leading epidemiologist in the field of cerebral palsy and a Thousand Waves black belt. They are assisted by a dedicated team of adult and teen volunteers who provide hands-on, individual assistance to help every student succeed.
"I think this Program embodies the Seido spirit of technique over strength, spirit over technique. These karate-ka show an amazingly strong non-quitting spirit. They fall down, they get up. They have an operation, they come back to train. They are an inspiration to me every time I teach them," Senpai Rebecca Angevine.
Since its inception in November 2005, hundreds of children have taken part in the classes, learning both physical and verbal self-defense strategies while building strength, self-confidence and having fun. When students complete the requirements to earn their next rank in Seido Karate, they are tested and receive their coveted belts in empowering public ceremonies.
During the first session the Program had 2 students - who are still training today - and now the Program serves 25 students each session. Currently, 1 student has earned a yellow belt, 7 students have earned advanced blue belts, 5 students have earned blue belts, 1 student has earned an advanced white belt and 8 students hold white belts. Several students cross train at both ASK and Thousand Waves, and one student even took part in Camp Kokoro this summer.
If you know any children who would like to join Thousand Waves' Adapted Seido Karate Program please contact Jenny DiLaura, Caring for Kids Coordinator at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago by phone at (312) 238-5005 or by email at jdilaura@ric.org. If you are interested in volunteering with this amazing program please contact Rebecca Angevine, at Thousand Waves by phone at (773) 472-7663 or by email at rangevine@thousandwaves.org.
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