Brandon Fisher
Master Black Belt
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2006
- Messages
- 1,093
- Reaction score
- 13
Yes I would accept a student in a wheelchair.
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Derfine what it means to be a TRUE martial artist.
And if one is not a true martial artist, then does if follow that they are somehow a FAKE martial artist?
Actually, as a teacher, you are supposed to bring out the best in everyone that you personally teach, not everyone.
As for why somone teaches if they deny people the chance to try, everyone denies someone the chance to try. Not everyone can be in a class of limited size. Not everyone can afford to pay for classes. Not everyone can show up during your business hours. Not everyone can travel to Japan to learn an art that is not taught outside of Japan.
All of these people end up being denied, but because they do not have a physical handicap, they do not inspire such statements as the ones you make.
By preceeding this statement with the first statement, you most certainly are. You are outright asserting that if I do not modify my curriculum to accomodate a disabled person that I am not a TRUE martial artist, which is a very nebulous term at best.
What if I refer them an imminently qualified instructor who works exclusively with handicaped students and understands the dynamics of fighting in a wheelchair (something that I am unfamiliar with)? Am I now demoted in my MA status because I did not teach them personally?
That is very laudible.
But be careful not to broad brush others who do not agree. Most, myself included, who answered in the negative all cited lack of knowledge or ability on their own part in being able to translate their curriculum to a wheelchair bound student, not out of any belief that the student is incapable.
And throwing around statments such as "true" martial artists is a bit pretentious.
Daniel
Actually, you said quite a bit more than that. Please do not be disingenuous.All I'm saying is don't judge a book by it's cover.
Is CCR even still around? I'd be curious to know his thoughts on the conversation that's taken shape. This is good stuff. :supcool:
Speaking only for myself, I am not offended in the least.I hope I haven't offended anyone, that was not my intention.
I will say that I consider martial arts to be far deeper than punches and kicks.But, in my opinion, being a martial artist is far deeper than punches and kicks.
I hope I haven't offended anyone, that was not my intention. But, in my opinion, being a martial artist is far deeper than punches and kicks.
Personally, I am not particularly fond of the word 'martial artist' unless it is defined specifically. To some, a martial artist is anyone who shows up for class. To others, it is an extension of the fine arts (dance, painting, music, etc.) and to still others, it is something else.
So, when you say something like 'true martial artist', you obviously mean somethng specific. Thus my question to you earlier: what do you mean by "TRUE martial artist" with the word true in caps?
The term is so nebulous that I try to refrain from using it, but when others do, I do like to know what they mean so that I can better understand where they are coming from.
Daniel
It's in my profile; I'm a black belt and instructor in the American Bando Association.
I believe I've met Jon Collins once; I'm more familiar with a few of his students, though he and many of his students have chosen to go their own ways for various reasons.I think many systems encompass enough information that they can provide workable content for a variety of people with limitations. I don't know if you know either John Collins or his student Jason Eagley. Jason walked with the aid of a cane after a severe accident. So, while some of bando was "inaccessible" to him, he excelled at other things.
I saw the same thing with my own teacher, Joe Singleton, and his command of FMA. He wasn't likely to bust out any sikaran, obviously. But there were other important parts of the system where he shined.
Stuart
I'd heard that.I believe I've met Jon Collins once; I'm more familiar with a few of his students, though he and many of his students have chosen to go their own ways for various reasons.
I'm not arguing with you. Just saw you were with bando, it reminded me of Jason, and I went with the tangent. Dig?I never said that Bando couldn't be taught to people with disabilities. In fact, I think I described one individual that I did train who had been in a bad car accident and as a result had little use of his left arm and hand. He achieved First Level black belt before life intervened. He kickboxed, fought in the free hand/middle style events, and generally participated in everything.
What I did say is that I could not teach a person in a wheelchair because I cannot see how to adapt the principles to their total situation. It's different and more complex than simply figuring out how to move while seated. Maybe someone else can do it. I don't know -- and it might be different depending on the extent of the impairment. Regarding the original poster here... I know I cannot teach HIM. Based on the videos, he has significant impairment in the use and control of his arms as well as his legs. I can't see how to make what I was taught work with ALL of the impairments.
That does not mean I can't figure out ways he can defend himself; the two things are very different and not mutually exclusive.