Down Syndrome, MMA Fighter

Here's 23-year-old Garrett. He's an MMA fighter who also happens to have Down Syndrome. His parents have apparently taken quite a lot of flack for letting their son fight in mixed martial arts against someone without a disability.

Although these concerns are understandable, I'd argue that there is no easy way to hold a real fighter down when he wants to fight. And Garrett here undoubtedly is just that: a real fighter.

And as this great, inspirational video says: "What do we see in a reflection?" Are we looking at an individual with a disability, or someone with possibilities? If Garrett doesn't label himself, why should we?

Make sure you visit Garrett's fight to read more about a young man who is a role model for other people with disabilities, and who also have begun teaching MMA.

Finding Acceptance at Dojo

Oregon -- All Cory Harrington wanted was a place that would accept her little girl as she is. Her daughter, 6-year-old Lora has Down syndrome and athletic groups in the Salem-Keizer area didn't return the mother's inquiries when she tried to enroll her daughter.

Then she found Keegan Ireland and his American Taekwondo Association school. He now offers a class for three 6-year-old girls with Down syndrome, one of them Lora.

Since Lora took up kicking and punching a year ago, her balance and strength have improved vastly. Mrs Harrington added the training help combat another issue: weight. People with Down syndrome tend to gain weight.

What's more, with a little encouragement from Harrington, Ireland has gone from being welcoming to actively seeking students with Down syndrome, according to statesmanjournal.com.

Kicking the Limitations

If this great article doesn't speak to your emotions, then you and I probably wouldn't have too much to talk about.

It's about 29-year-old Jesse Richardson from Dayton Ohio — who has spent a lifetime kicking right through the limitations that come with Down syndrome. It describes the way he finally earned his black belt in taekwondo.

Just a few nights earlier, in front of another crowd, he had slowly read through his report on what the art meant to him. It had taken Jesse half an hour to get through the 250 words, but his sincerity and determined effort had brought many to tears.

I've said it before, and I'll repeat it - this, to me, is a big part of what the martial arts is all about. It is a way to help people achieve something valuable to themselves as well as the people around them; and consequently, to the society at large.

Karate: A Passion

Florida -- 34-year-old Dave Pancallo of Cooper City is a man with Down syndrome - and that's that to the outside world, according to miamiherald.com.

But to those who take goju karate classes, he is Mr. Dave -- the person who helps lead twice weekly workouts for the adults and children.

Pancallo is a stern brown belt assistant teacher who offers no mercy or apologies for his regimen, leading his group in a series exercises that sometimes leave students gasping for air.

Fighting, a Part of Life

Florida -- Bradley Schneider from Miami was born with Down syndrome. For him and his mother, fighting is not simply a part of karate, but also a part of life, according to cbs4.com.

Bradley's passion for martial arts has earned him a black belt. And just because he has Down syndrome doesn't mean he has special needs. He says there's more to the art than the physical things. "Focus on what you are doing," he said.

The 19-year-old has so much skill, he's even taking on some teaching at the studio. He's showing younger kids that they can achieve anything they put their minds to.

Karate With Down Syndrome

Minnesota -- "I'm proud of me. I'm proud of myself, yes," Bruce Stolp of Oronoco says. And he has every reason to be. The 31-year-old man with Down Syndrome, recently earned his black belt in karate after training for ten years, according to kare11.com.

Described by his parents as a very determined person, he didn't walk until he was four years old. However, he's been making up for lost time ever since.

Way to go Bruce! I'm sure you will have many great years ahead of you at the National Karate in Rochester - working towards your 2. dan.

Rachel Excels at Karate

Another great story for you here. 30-year-old Rachel Fairbank from Layton, Utah was born with Down syndrome. She has been training karate for 13 years, never misses a class, and has now been promoted to 3. dan black belt.

"I didn't expect her to come this far, but she is very determined and she just loves it," her mother, Marsha said.

Rachel says her teacher, Master Johnny Aranda, has been her inspiration, not only in karate but in life.

No Intention of Stopping Now

Here we have an inspirational piece from dunmow-broadcast.co.uk.

Richard has Down syndrome, and has been training 9 years to achieve his black belt. If only all students had the warrior spirit and endurance that this young man clearly shows - way to go Richard!

Story:
UK -- Downs syndrome sufferer Richard Clark, of Farmadine, Saffron Walden, has defied the odds by achieving Shodan (black belt) rank on his first attempt.

Richard's devotion to the sport is demonstrated by the fact he has been training for nine years, and he has no intention of stopping anytime soon.

He said: "I would like to get my 3rd Dan, so I can teach karate myself, and that's likely to take me another five years.

"After that I will just continue my journey until I become a master. That is 10th Dan and will take me the rest of my life."

Hes Now a Role Model

There are very few things that I personally find more meaningful - and inspirational - than stories like this.

Story:
UK -- When Andrew Brooks was born with Down's Syndrome in the 1970s his parents were told not to expect much of him and were even given advice to "put him away" in seclusion.

Despite the bleak prognosis and severe learning difficulties, Andrew has proved his doubters wrong in magnificent style.

Today he is celebrating something many would have thought impossible - he has gained one of the top ranks in karate, a black belt.

With a steely determination 31-year-old Andrew, of Felixstowe, has spent the last 11 years dedicating himself to the ancient martial art.

Thanks to the gentle encouragement of his parents, the patient guidance of his instructors and sheer desire to succeed, Andrew, who cannot read or write, is now a role model for other martial artists.

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Persistence

Pride seems to radiate off 33-year-old Craig Hafner of Harbor Springs as he stands, dressed in white, carefully tying on his black belt. A smile spreads across his face as he makes sure the belt is tied correctly.

Although it’s just another Friday night practice at the American Taekwondo Association Black Belt Academy, Hafner takes extra care with his new black belt, inscribed with his name and the word "persistence." After all, it took Hafner, who was born with Down Syndrome, five years to earn the top level tae kwon do belt.

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Down, not out

"Anyone and everyone can achieve their goals once they’re dedicated and committed, regardless of obstacles."

With those words, karate instructor Anthony Dew, a 10th degree international grand master, on Wednesday recognized five athletes for their hard work under his training in martial arts.

Missy Brower, 27, of Cogan Station and Roger Turner, 32, of Nisbet, who both have Down syndrome, were praised by Dew for their commitment as they received self defense certificates and demonstrated the skills they have acquired on the path to obtaining the coveted prize of black belt themselves.

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Quite a kick

"Defensive kicking" - now that's a new one! And here's another: "We looked at all the self-defence sports," and chose taekwando over judo, jui-jitsu and karate because "it strengthens both the upper and lower body." I wonder what parts I miss out strengthening - apart from my brain?

I you look past these bloopers, this is a heartwarming and inspirational story about a 32-year-old with Down syndrome.

Story:
Phillip Sherman gets quite a kick out of taekwondo.

In fact, over the past 13 years of slow but steady training, Sherman, 32, has given, and tried to block, quite a few during regular practice sessions.

Defensive kicking is the mainstay of taekwondo, the martial art that retired teacher Julia Sherman chose for her son -- who has Down syndrome -- to help him develop strength, discipline, respect, pride and independence.

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Giftet warriors

Mike Darcy is an imposing figure at 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds. He's a former petty officer second class in the U.S. Navy who considers himself a guarded man.

That's every day, except for Friday evenings between 5 and 7 o'clock.

For nearly a year, Darcy, 46, has taught karate to kids with special needs. Twenty-five kids are taking his classes. Some are diagnosed with autism and Down syndrome; once he even had a student in a wheelchair.

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Special athletes compete

In one word: Inspirational!

Story:
The martial arts tournament here Saturday morning featured the usual array of chops, kicks, jabs and twirls, punctuated by grunts and softened by ceremonial bows.

But participants in the Eighth Annual Special Needs Martial Arts Tournament put on a performance that wasn't what you'd usually see. The athletes, some with Down syndrome, autism and other conditions, sometimes needed a little help.

"When you get to know these children you see they're like all children," said Sal Lopresti, 57, a businessman from Washington Township who volunteers as an instructor. "And we need to treat them like that."

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On Top of His World

Jonathan Cetroni has Down syndrome. He also has a first-degree black belt in karate.

Through his actions, the 24-year-old Dover Township man with Down syndrome challenges those around him to re-examine their expectations.

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