Person with disabilities looking for advice

[KungFubar]

Hi!

I’ve always wanted to study a martial art, but I figured as a person with disabilities, no one would want to train me. Decided to find a school anyway.

Which martial art would be best? I’m 49 years old, female, 5 feet tall, small boned and weigh about 125 lbs. These are what I would have to work with:

Legally blind: Completely blind in one eye and losing the already limited vision in my other eye. I have no depth perception as a result and might have trouble seeing instruction at a distance. I use a white cane to navigate around.

Cerebral Palsy: I have mild cerebral palsy. My muscles are weak and I lack endurance. I also have poor balance and can’t balance on one leg at all.

Autism & ADHD: Both mild/very high functioning. I’m putting these here because they should be listed, even though Idon’t see them posing a problem. I don’t have meltdowns. But if I’m overwhelmed or tired, I shutdown. All this means is that I space out.

My primary purpose in learning an art is for self defense in a real world scenario, not for competition. I also don’t care as much about belts as I do about learning and mastering the techniques. I’d like to get my food in the door and learn as much as I can before going completely blind, and continuing my studies as a completely blind student.

Does anyone have any recommendations for what to study?

 

[Simfers103]

If your primary goal is self-defense, I'd say that something that would teach you to use your white cane, something you'll always have on hand, would be logical.

So... Escrima, maybe? I think hapkido also contains stick-fighting... Really depends on what's available where you are.

 

[Monkey Turned Wolf103]

If your primary goal is self-defense, I'd say that something that would teach you to use your white cane, something you'll always have on hand, would be logical.

So... Escrima, maybe? I think hapkido also contains stick-fighting... Really depends on what's available where you are.

A lot of escrima involves moving around, so what OP could use from it would be limited. That said, it still could help, she'd just have to figure out what she can/can't do.


@KungFubar I'd actually recommend fencing, if you can find it. Particularly epee or foil. You can use your cane, and I think it'd work better with not being able to balance/walk too well. Epee/foil also involve a lot of thrusting, so the depth perception won't matter as much (if you thrust out it won't matter as much if they're 1 ft or 3 feet in front of you). The biggest issue would be finding a school that works with you, depending on where you live.

If that's not an option, I'd probably go with either BJJ or wing chun. Both are built in a way to let smaller people fight, balance won't be a huge issue, and it's close/very close contact so sight won't matter as much. I've even heard of (though haven't met) people who are completely blind training bjj.

If you have trouble with finding a wing chun or BJJ school that works with you as well, my next recommendation would probably be Tai Chi or Aikido. Depending on the school, the self-defense applications may or may not be fully there, and my understanding is that it can take a longer time training for it to become practical (which is why they're last on my list), but I'd guess most aikido instructors would be good at meeting you where you're at. Both of these arts are gentle and should be fine to do while blind as well.

 

[Badhabits]

I think martial arts will be good for you. My current instructor works with quite a few people with disabilities he's great with them and it's a great environment for them. If any instructors in your area have people with disabilities at their school and that instructor is really good with them maybe you could start there regardless of the art. At least to start it may be more about the teacher than the art. Any art is a doorway into the wider world of martial arts, you can always change arts/schools later once you have a degree of comfort with it. Me included, some people really enjoy working with people with disabilities. That makes a difference in your experience at a school.

 

[Buka19]

Welcome to Martial Talk, KungFubar.

I strongly recommend Brazilian Jujitsu. It is done more by feel than by sight.

 

[skribs101]

What's available in your area? Look those places up, contact them and see what their classes are like. The ones that sound like a good fit, try them.

We could recommend you the best martial art in the world, and if the nearest location is 500 miles away, it's not much help.
We could recommend you the best martial art in the world, and if the local school is run by an S-tier jerk, we weren't much help either.

It's also difficult because some martial arts have a wide variance in what they teach. Go to any boxing school and you'll learn to punch. But go to a Taekwondo school and you'll learn forms, and kicks, and...whatever else the instructor wants to teach (maybe nothing else, maybe everything else).

If your primary goal is self-defense, I'd say that something that would teach you to use your white cane, something you'll always have on hand, would be logical.

So... Escrima, maybe? I think hapkido also contains stick-fighting... Really depends on what's available where you are.

Hapkido is such a varied martial art. In some schools it's basically Taekwondo without forms. In other schools (like mine) it focuses heavily on wristlocks. We did a bit of stick in my TKD classes but not my HKD classes at my TKD/HKD school.

 

[Holmejr1]

Can you grip??
Yes? Then actually, FMA (escrima) would be an excellent art for you. We have a fellow that was born with just left arm. He wears a prosthesis for his right. My instructor modified many of our techniques to blend with his situation. If the instructor know their stuff and is imaginative, there should be no problem.

 

[HighKick1]

Hi!

I’ve always wanted to study a martial art, but I figured as a person with disabilities, no one would want to train me. Decided to find a school anyway.

Which martial art would be best? I’m 49 years old, female, 5 feet tall, small boned and weigh about 125 lbs. These are what I would have to work with:

Legally blind: Completely blind in one eye and losing the already limited vision in my other eye. I have no depth perception as a result and might have trouble seeing instruction at a distance. I use a white cane to navigate around.

Cerebral Palsy: I have mild cerebral palsy. My muscles are weak and I lack endurance. I also have poor balance and can’t balance on one leg at all.

Autism & ADHD: Both mild/very high functioning. I’m putting these here because they should be listed, even though Idon’t see them posing a problem. I don’t have meltdowns. But if I’m overwhelmed or tired, I shutdown. All this means is that I space out.

My primary purpose in learning an art is for self defense in a real world scenario, not for competition. I also don’t care as much about belts as I do about learning and mastering the techniques. I’d like to get my food in the door and learn as much as I can before going completely blind, and continuing my studies as a completely blind student.

Does anyone have any recommendations for what to study?

We have had a special needs class twice/weekly for over 20-years. With few exceptions, they all integrate into regular class at their own pace. The scale of 'disability' is all over the map, from mental to physical.

I'll tell you my two favorite stories that are very much in contrast.

Mikey Hickerson was a frail, extremely withdrawn, non-verbal 8-year-old when his mom came to me desperate for help. She had exhausted all her other resources and was on the verge of pulling him from school and putting him in a 'home' for special kids. As always, I had an interview with Mikey and his mom and after a long planning session, we brought him into class. This was early on in our schools beginning, and he was in regular classes. It was a Huge learning curve for both of us, and looking back, a real strain on the classes sometimes. For a long time, he was completely to partly non-committal during class but slowly came around and got into the routine. Which I learned was Hugely important to him. Long story short, Mikey went from a non-verbal, withdrawn kid to a fully functioning, 'normal' kid (free from medications) with an infectious smile in about 3-years. He competed at the highest levels of AAU, graduated college, and is now married with two beautiful kids and is an engineer for the state.

Victor (last name intentionally omitted) was born with one leg missing below the knee and one above the knee. He came to us as a slightly overweight adult and said he wanted to learn TKD. I would have loved to saw my own face, but I hope it was stoic. He had done his research and said he knew TKD would be the most difficult martial art for him to learn, so I knew I would like Victor from day one. In every other measure Vic was just like everyone else, so much so, he made it easy for people to be comfortable around him. And man of man did he work his butt off.
Now, Everything Victor did in class was different, and it took a while to figure out what the best method was for him when doing techniques. He is surprisingly fast with his hands and can really scoot on his stumps, but balance is an issue when moving fast. Forms were a big learning process for both of us. Much more verbal training than tactile, and he really focused on the pattern more than the movements since he could (somewhat) control that more. For example, when doing the first form, he was very focused on making a good crisp 'I' pattern. His movements were Very different visually, but if you break them down, the upper body movement is correct for the most part. He has a hard time with turns. Kicks are no bueno, so I augmented the patterns using hand/arm movements.
Victor being in classes was one of those fun seasons. Sadly, he became ill during Covid and had to stop.

I say all the to encourage you. To not let the wall in front of you prevent you from at least trying. With an open mind and much patience for yourself. I don't know your area or the schools so take your time and find a school that has a history with special needs or at least willing to start the process. It can be a great thing for both side. Ask me how I know.
Of all the things I have done in the martial arts, our spec. classes is the thing I am the most 'proud' of.

 

[jks919974]

Let's tally the limits:
You have limited vision.
You have limited mobility and coordination.

Now the neutrals:
ADHD/Autism. This can be a limit -- or a superpower. It's all in how you use the traits like hyperfocus.

Your goal:
Self defense

So...

You want an art that's practical, that doesn't rely on physical strength and high levels of coordination, works in what I tend to call "the hot zone" -- grappling, feel-their-breath close ranges, and doesn't rely on seeing attacks coming.

I'd lean towards Judo or Brazillian Jujitsu. Sambo, if you can find it. Some traditional Japanese Jujutsus might be beneficial, but hard to find. The right instructor in a few other styles might work for you -- but you need an instructor with deep understanding of their art's principles and how to apply them for you. A lot of primarily striking arts are not going to be good fits for your needs -- and way too many cane styles are made for people with full mobility and vision, for whom the cane becomes an affectation rather than a need.

 

[Prince_Alarming103]

I like the idea of judo. A lot of judo goes by feel, like all grappling its about establishing dominant body position. As you say, you're fairly petite but don't let that put you off- judo has weight classes. IMO it's a logical choice, and incidentally pretty useful in self defence. Your opponent will not want to fight you any more once you have brought him or her to the ground in an embarrassing fashion. What's more, you'll learn to fall without hurting yourself, which translates pretty well into all sorts of life situations.
Good luck whatever it is you choose

 

[Buka19]

We have had a special needs class twice/weekly for over 20-years. With few exceptions, they all integrate into regular class at their own pace. The scale of 'disability' is all over the map, from mental to physical.

I'll tell you my two favorite stories that are very much in contrast.

Mikey Hickerson was a frail, extremely withdrawn, non-verbal 8-year-old when his mom came to me desperate for help. She had exhausted all her other resources and was on the verge of pulling him from school and putting him in a 'home' for special kids. As always, I had an interview with Mikey and his mom and after a long planning session, we brought him into class. This was early on in our schools beginning, and he was in regular classes. It was a Huge learning curve for both of us, and looking back, a real strain on the classes sometimes. For a long time, he was completely to partly non-committal during class but slowly came around and got into the routine. Which I learned was Hugely important to him. Long story short, Mikey went from a non-verbal, withdrawn kid to a fully functioning, 'normal' kid (free from medications) with an infectious smile in about 3-years. He competed at the highest levels of AAU, graduated college, and is now married with two beautiful kids and is an engineer for the state.

Victor (last name intentionally omitted) was born with one leg missing below the knee and one above the knee. He came to us as a slightly overweight adult and said he wanted to learn TKD. I would have loved to saw my own face, but I hope it was stoic. He had done his research and said he knew TKD would be the most difficult martial art for him to learn, so I knew I would like Victor from day one. In every other measure Vic was just like everyone else, so much so, he made it easy for people to be comfortable around him. And man of man did he work his butt off.
Now, Everything Victor did in class was different, and it took a while to figure out what the best method was for him when doing techniques. He is surprisingly fast with his hands and can really scoot on his stumps, but balance is an issue when moving fast. Forms were a big learning process for both of us. Much more verbal training than tactile, and he really focused on the pattern more than the movements since he could (somewhat) control that more. For example, when doing the first form, he was very focused on making a good crisp 'I' pattern. His movements were Very different visually, but if you break them down, the upper body movement is correct for the most part. He has a hard time with turns. Kicks are no bueno, so I augmented the patterns using hand/arm movements.
Victor being in classes was one of those fun seasons. Sadly, he became ill during Covid and had to stop.

I say all the to encourage you. To not let the wall in front of you prevent you from at least trying. With an open mind and much patience for yourself. I don't know your area or the schools so take your time and find a school that has a history with special needs or at least willing to start the process. It can be a great thing for both side. Ask me how I know.
Of all the things I have done in the martial arts, our spec. classes is the thing I am the most 'proud' of.

Damn near brought tears to my eyes.

 

[HighKick1]

Hi!

I’ve always wanted to study a martial art, but I figured as a person with disabilities, no one would want to train me. Decided to find a school anyway.

Which martial art would be best? I’m 49 years old, female, 5 feet tall, small boned and weigh about 125 lbs. These are what I would have to work with:

Legally blind: Completely blind in one eye and losing the already limited vision in my other eye. I have no depth perception as a result and might have trouble seeing instruction at a distance. I use a white cane to navigate around.

Cerebral Palsy: I have mild cerebral palsy. My muscles are weak and I lack endurance. I also have poor balance and can’t balance on one leg at all.

Autism & ADHD: Both mild/very high functioning. I’m putting these here because they should be listed, even though Idon’t see them posing a problem. I don’t have meltdowns. But if I’m overwhelmed or tired, I shutdown. All this means is that I space out.

My primary purpose in learning an art is for self defense in a real world scenario, not for competition. I also don’t care as much about belts as I do about learning and mastering the techniques. I’d like to get my food in the door and learn as much as I can before going completely blind, and continuing my studies as a completely blind student.

Does anyone have any recommendations for what to study?

I forgot to mention this in my previous post. When I wrestled in high school we regularly wrestled against a school for the blind. Anytime we separated, the match stopped, and we had to re-engage (touch each other) then the match resumed. Those guys were Awesome. Very good wrestlers.

I have only had three legally blind TKD students, and I treat them the same way when sparring

Hi!

I’ve always wanted to study a martial art, but I figured as a person with disabilities, no one would want to train me. Decided to find a school anyway.

Which martial art would be best? I’m 49 years old, female, 5 feet tall, small boned and weigh about 125 lbs. These are what I would have to work with:

Legally blind: Completely blind in one eye and losing the already limited vision in my other eye. I have no depth perception as a result and might have trouble seeing instruction at a distance. I use a white cane to navigate around.

Cerebral Palsy: I have mild cerebral palsy. My muscles are weak and I lack endurance. I also have poor balance and can’t balance on one leg at all.

Autism & ADHD: Both mild/very high functioning. I’m putting these here because they should be listed, even though Idon’t see them posing a problem. I don’t have meltdowns. But if I’m overwhelmed or tired, I shutdown. All this means is that I space out.

My primary purpose in learning an art is for self defense in a real world scenario, not for competition. I also don’t care as much about belts as I do about learning and mastering the techniques. I’d like to get my food in the door and learn as much as I can before going completely blind, and continuing my studies as a completely blind student.

Does anyone have any recommendations for what to study?

I forgot to mention this in my last post. When I wrestled in high school, we regularly competed against a school for the blind. Anytime we separated, the match would stop, and we would have to re-engage (touch in last position or from down position). Those guys were Awesome competitors and always fun to match with.

I have only had three legally blind students, but I treated them the same way during sparring and drills. In sparring, they are always put with a black belt (with good control) who pads up so they can safely tap the head or body. We verbalize the technique before throwing it so the (blind) defender can get in a defensive posture. When drilling, they find where the target is and go at it, surprisingly well. It is amazing how keen the hearing can become. Usually, they know which way you are circling just by listening. For forms, they were better than some of the seeing students.
One person had pronounced balance issues with their blindness and never left the special classes. But was infectiously fun and good-hearted.

 

[Buka19]

As an underbelt, a dojo mate, Freddie LaFluer, was legally blind. The two things I remember about him the most was his wristwatch. If you pressed the stem the glass cover of the face popped open on a hinge. Freddie would feel the hands on his watch to know what time it was.

The second I remember was Freddy always whooped my ash in sparring.

Fifteen years later my JKD instructor, Joe Maffei, was legally blind. (He was also a purple belt under Rickson.)
He used to kick my ash, too.

Twenty years later I taught a buddy’s student, Emma, basic grappling. She was losing her vision and heading for total blindness. She always told me grappling made sense to her.

 

[HighKick1]

As an underbelt, a dojo mate, Freddie LaFluer, was legally blind. The two things I remember about him the most was his wristwatch. If you pressed the stem the glass cover of the face popped open on a hinge. Freddie would feel the hands on his watch to know what time it was.

The second I remember was Freddy always whooped my ash in sparring.

Fifteen years later my JKD instructor, Joe Maffei, was legally blind. (He was also a purple belt under Rickson.)
He used to kick my ash, too.

Twenty years later I taught a buddy’s student, Emma, basic grappling. She was losing her vision and heading for total blindness. She always told me grappling made sense to her.

Those guys at TSB were bad a**!!!

 

[Karatecat67]

Hi!

I’ve always wanted to study a martial art, but I figured as a person with disabilities, no one would want to train me. Decided to find a school anyway.

Which martial art would be best? I’m 49 years old, female, 5 feet tall, small boned and weigh about 125 lbs. These are what I would have to work with:

Legally blind: Completely blind in one eye and losing the already limited vision in my other eye. I have no depth perception as a result and might have trouble seeing instruction at a distance. I use a white cane to navigate around.

Cerebral Palsy: I have mild cerebral palsy. My muscles are weak and I lack endurance. I also have poor balance and can’t balance on one leg at all.

Autism & ADHD: Both mild/very high functioning. I’m putting these here because they should be listed, even though Idon’t see them posing a problem. I don’t have meltdowns. But if I’m overwhelmed or tired, I shutdown. All this means is that I space out.

My primary purpose in learning an art is for self defense in a real world scenario, not for competition. I also don’t care as much about belts as I do about learning and mastering the techniques. I’d like to get my food in the door and learn as much as I can before going completely blind, and continuing my studies as a completely blind student.

Does anyone have any recommendations for what to study?

I am deaf and I have been to martial arts for 35 years and held fifth degree black belt. We never have any problems in martial arts schools. I trained in karate, kickboxing, Judo, BJJ, Tai Chi, and Kempo. Many instructors are awesome. I am Master Instructor now. Any disabilities can do it. Go for it. We have many autisms in our school in Rhode Island. They have so much fun in school. We have many events and tournaments.

 

[wab251]

Lots of great advice here. If you have a Danzan Ryu school in your area, they might be worth a look. They are more of a Japanese Jujitsu.... but many of our schools work with people that have disabilities.

My muscles are weak and I lack endurance. I also have poor balance and can’t balance on one leg at all.

I wanted to address this statement. Lots of people look at what they have and see things as binary limitations. Then they go about limiting themselves from their own potential.

Your muscles are weak.... they don't always have to be. I do not have your issues.... but I am not winning any strength contests either. But, with training, I have become stronger than I would have been without training. While you may never catch up to the next person, training can make you stronger than you are now. In the worst case, maybe it just keeps you as strong as you are now.... preventing you from losing the strength you have. In all probability, training will give you more strength, more endurance and even better balance. Compare only to yourself.... the values each person has for these things: strength, endurance, balance, coordination.... are not binary, they are not true or false, I have it or I don't. The values are numbers. While each of us starts with a different number in each category, we can make that number grow and we can improve. There are a lot of people out there with numbers I will never catch.... but my numbers are better than they were before I started.

Whatever you decide to train, don't limit yourself. You may not be able to stand on one leg now.... but over time, you may find yourself quite happy on one leg. I would expect training would help improve all of these issues and more.

I know you are not a vet... but this guy helps many people (not just vets) who have different abilities.

(I have been on the mat with, been thrown by and train with many of the folks in this video, including Bob, and his sensei)

 

[hogwldfltr]

I recommend looking at different schools in your area and watching some classes. See what they do and find something that attracts you. Hap Ki Do is good because it's got grappling. Jiu Jitsu is another possibility. At my school which is Tang Soo Do our instructor has special needs classes. Most schools will have you participate and grow personally regardless of your ability. I think in my experience, inabilities are reason for modification in how things are performed and not roadblocks.

 

[windwalker099102]

Bruce Lee,
" I can not teach you, only help you explore yourself, nothing more"

Is there anything more ?

Think Wing Chun, would be a good art to explore yourself with BTW

 

[KenpoMaster8053]

Yes Martial Arts would be great for you hi im kenpomaster805 and i have a disability too i have a leaning disability im a slow learner im also 5'2 or 5'5 i started at age 35 and im 130 pounds and im studying ameican kenpo karate im pretty sure there are Martial arts studios that teaches person with disabilities i think judo or juijutsu would be good or tachi because its a softmovement

 

[drewtoby3]

I would use what others have said as a starting point and look for an awesome instructor, as I would say that a quality instructor who is knowledgeable, willing and able to share said knowledge, and has a personality that does not conflict with yours is the second most important thing to staying motivated to learn. The most important thing, in my opinion, would be that you are learning what you want to learn!

Also be aware of classmates and class environment, but that tends not to conflict with a good instructor's personality and class vision.

Don't be afraid of stopping by a few places to chat with instructors and to try a few classes!