Time and time again in my experience in every martial art that I have taken, there are injuries and conditions that you can briefly overcome in a time of need.
Even if that weren't true, suggesting that someone who is differently abled shouldn't learn self-defense because they can't do it to your standards is an utterly pathetic argument, and I thought we were past that in the martial arts community.
I think you mis understood what I was saying. I said to evaluate what you were learning. If you need a cane for mobility, some of these things will not work.
Using it as you would a sword, circling around.... maybe you can maybe you can't.... maybe in the future you will not be able to.
Here, half way through is is on one foot, delivering strikes.
Here they start simple, then get into take downs and more complicated stuff requiring you to use footwork, and drive off your feet to generate power.
What I am getting at is to learn what you can do in your current state. We are all going to get old, what we could do when younger, we will not be able to do when we get older. Some of the techniques will become less effective as our mobility goes, as our balance goes.... Understanding which techniques will still work verses which ones require more mobility.
A round house kick to the head is great. But I would not try it at 80 years old. If working with an 80 year old, I would teach him to throw the round house kick, lets see how far he can take it. But, for self defense, I would give him other techniques that he can do, and will be able to continue to do.
A lot of the cane techniques out there are taught by folks who have no mobility issues.... and can move, and exert force without one. Expecting someone who relies heavily on a cane to just stand, to do a multiple strike combo, ending in an armbar take down with the cane, is not going to happen for him. However, learning to target vulnerable points with strikes, that his own movement allows will do more good. Continued training should increase his abilities, but recognize that it is a race with age and age will win. In terms, of Martial arts... learn whatever you want... in terms of self defense, learn your limits and learn how to use what you have. Hopefully, through training you will get more ability.
You may have to test out some of the techniques, to see if you can actually do them, given your current mobility state. It is important to find that out in a dojo before finding out on the street.
There are a whole slew of martial arts that have weapons training. On the subject of using a cane, I cannot answer that, but I'm sure someone on here would be able to point you in the right direction. Have you looked into any specific styles yet or visited any schools? I hope you are able to find your answer!
