[uchimataman]

I met a young man who has spina bifida. He's confined to a wheel chair and has been paralyzed from the waist down since birth. He would like very much to take judo. Obviously, he'll only be able to do mat work.

I'm wondering if any of you have had experience teaching people who have no use of their legs or can put me in contact with someone who does have this experience for some advice?

I do know there is judo in the paralympics for the blind, but are there any such programs in judo for people like this young man?

[stacey]

there is a member of the JF who has ample information about this area, but I'll let him identify himself if he so chooses. I've worked with a wrestler who was a double amputee, which isn't quite the same thing, and he had a good background from a couple of other wrestlers with similar problems, so you might also want to check with the wrestling community.

these guys can be totally awesome at newaza, and frequently clean up in newaza contests. A lot depends on what muscles they have control over - can he sit without aid? can he roll using his hips, or does he need the help of his hands and shoulders?

While you're trying to find somebody who can speak more directly to the particular constraints of this young person, keep your mind open and flexible, and work with him. You're going to ask him questions that are stupid (at least to him), and that's o.k. - it's part of your mutual learning process. You're also going to have to make sure he checks himself for mat burns on a regular basis, as he is apt to get them, just like everybody else, but without feeling them, consequently, that can get quite bad before discovered.

One of the things you might want to try fairly early is the circle of pins - where you start with kesa gatame and transition to kata gatame, then tatashiho gatame, yuko gatame, kamashiho gatame etc, with whatever pins you want to add in between. The pins will give him something specific to learn, and the transitioning between the pins will tell you how well he moves, and, it'll give you something to experiment with together - teh best way of getting those parts of his body that don't work that well to get where they need to go.

The other thing you need to do is roll with him - see how he attacks the turtle, see how aggressive he is, see how creative he is. My wager is that since this has been most of his life, he's an outside the box thinker, so you'll probably have a lot of fun and learn a lot yourself.

Oh, and needless to say, you're getting a doctor's permission before you allow him out on the tatami. Liability, and all that. If somebody's giving him help getting there, might want to co-opt that person to help. Every extra student you get into a gi is another judoka for the cause, after all

Have fun, think creatively, keep an open mind, and listen.

[uchimataman]

This is REALLY great information, Stacey. Thank you. I never even thought about mat burns!

I don't really know the extent of his movement. I just briefly chatted with him earlier this week, and said that I'd do some research. I was totally upfront with him, and told him that I never had experience in this area, but that I would do some research.

I've spoken to him about getting a doctor's note, and he said it would be no problem.

I hope whoever it is who works with similar people will make themselves known to me. I'd love to give this young man a sports outlet.

[lwicks]

This is an area of Judo competition that I think needs tackling sooner rather than later.
I suggest reading Matt's excellent "Disabled Grappler" blog ( http://disabledgrappler.com/ ) for an insight into the life of a Judoka who has a disability.

Presently there is not as far as I am aware a real circuit for people to fight in and get started on the habit of winning.

I have spoken with Matt and Mike Darter and others about the idea of holding a special category at an existing event (Heartland event for example).

If you delve deeper in this area please do email me ( lw@judocoach.com ) as it's and area I'd like to be involved in.

Lance

[Yboat]

I hate to bring this up, but it needs to be said. make sure your Dojo is up to ADA regs. (http://www.access-board.gov/)
While I really doubt he would do anything, there is a chance he or some one else might.

As a GC I have lost count of how many jobs I have strickly do to ADA stuff. 99% of those were complete BS. The old drive by law suit deal...



a drive by lawsuit is just that, they drive by, see your out of complance, then sue you. They never even set foot there, thankfully one of the local lawyers that was doing this has had a order placed against him that he can no longer file lawsuits with out the courts approval... Let me put it this way, there is a web site up showing his home, office, and every thing about him.

[Judo Tom]

I have trained with Matt since his first day of judo and he is a great student, friend and training partner. He now trains at my club and he is a great asset to have on the mat. I cant say enough good things about him to be honest.

Except for 1 match he has always fought "able" bodied people. He has gone to about 90% of the tournaments with me during the last few years and most of the camps, clinics I have attended. He also does some BJJ. He competes under the same rules as everyone else. I try to give him the best advice I can on techniques and he has also gotten some great advice from Serge and some other great senseis and clinicians as well.

Its not easy but Judo isnt really easy for anyone.

Oh and the new rules stink....

[Kiti]

Judo Tom, on Feb 15 2010, 09:51 AM, said:

Oh and the new rules stink....

Is there actually anyone who doesn't think the new rules stink? I can't understand why people are still playing Judo. I'm sure we're not playing Judo anymore at the club I go to!

[Mike2]

uchimataman, on Feb 8 2010, 07:31 PM, said:

I met a young man who has spina bifida. He's confined to a wheel chair and has been paralyzed from the waist down since birth. He would like very much to take judo. Obviously, he'll only be able to do mat work.

I'm wondering if any of you have had experience teaching people who have no use of their legs or can put me in contact with someone who does have this experience for some advice?

I do know there is judo in the paralympics for the blind, but are there any such programs in judo for people like this young man?

We had twin brothers training with us years ago, one with no legs below the knee - he wore prosthetics. He was lethal on the ground and the fastest in the club in games on all fours. An amputee has less leg to maneuver in things like juji gatame. He could do tachi-waza with considerate partners, but of course, prosthetics are hard objects in sweeping or reaping, so its limited. If someone's lower extremities are underdeveloped and they can't control them, they could be very susceptible to injury, even in ne-waza.

We've coached about 85 blind and visually impaired kids for the past 4yrs and THERE there's very little problem. They fight like pit-bulls, have no fear and are as naughty as any other kids. Very rewarding. Jean Claude Prieur of IBSA visits Cape Town this coming weekend and will see their tournament and run coaching and reffing sessions. The intellectually impaired are keen to explore judo and will meet with us/him. That will be a whole new challenge ! One imagines that the degree and nature of that impairment will govern what one can do, but we'll see.
Something really decent comes out in the ablebodied, kids and adults, when the challenged join in their club practices. It's great to see.

[uchimataman]

An update:

I had a "sit down" with the young man and his doctor about judo, and we all decided against it. The reason is because he still has his legs. Since he cannot feel them, there would be no way for him to know if his legs were in a position to be broken or otherwise injured.

[Scott_Wignall]

Nuts.....

There's a fellow in the U.K., I *think* his name is Roy Court. Try google?

[zato_ichi34]

I haven't been able to find a video yet, but in the opening ceremonies of the 2006 IBSA World Championships for Paralympic Judo in Brommat, France a man gave a great judo/aikido demo from his wheelchair.