Yeah, yeah, you might think: "Another 5. dan - big deal", or: "A female shihan title, so what?" But before you might be tempted to draw any hasty conclusions, I'd ask you to read this article.
To me, 41-year-old Sandra Beale -- who has just become the first woman in the UK to achieve shihan status in Tsuyoi Ryu Karate -- is a true fighter in every sense of the word.
You see, she has achieved this high rank and title despite suffering two bouts of cancer. Add to that her tireless work over 17 years for NAKMAS (National Association of Karate and Martial Art Schools).
When she was nine, shihan Beale was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, Ewings Sarcoma, and she was reportedly told she had a 50/50 chance of survival.
After surgery, radiotherapy and two years of chemotherapy she did survive, but the extensive treatment caused other illnesses, including damage to the heart. As she grew older, she developed skin cancer, and recently needed hip resurfacing.
So, yes, I'd say you're definitely looking at someone out of the ordinary here.
Congrats shihan, and welcome to the rank!
Showing posts with label cancer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cancer. Show all posts
Monday, July 06, 2009
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Empowered With Martial Arts
Canada -- With the belt tightened around his new, white uniform and his right hand clenched into a fist, 3-year-old Brandon Sasseville is ready to throw some karate punches.
The young cancer patient has bendt his knees slightly, he assumes position and waits for the magic word from his instructor. "Go!" Brandon immediately punches the air swiftly, letting out an enthusiastic karate yell.
Brown-haired and smiling Brandon has leukemia and is undergoing chemotherapy. His treatment is expected to last more than three years. This is to ensure all the cancer cells have been eradicated from his tiny body.
However, he is not thinking about any of that when he kicks butt during Monday night martial arts classes at the regional hospital in Windsor.
Reed more of this inspirational piece at windsorstar.com
The young cancer patient has bendt his knees slightly, he assumes position and waits for the magic word from his instructor. "Go!" Brandon immediately punches the air swiftly, letting out an enthusiastic karate yell.
Brown-haired and smiling Brandon has leukemia and is undergoing chemotherapy. His treatment is expected to last more than three years. This is to ensure all the cancer cells have been eradicated from his tiny body.
However, he is not thinking about any of that when he kicks butt during Monday night martial arts classes at the regional hospital in Windsor.
Reed more of this inspirational piece at windsorstar.com
Saturday, December 27, 2008
An Amazing Senior Karateka
Australia -- Hawkesbury.yourguide.com.au: "Anyone can learn a lot about living a full and meaningful life from my father," Lesa Tame said, describing her 72-year-old father Leon Tames as 'amazing'.
The cheerful Mr Tame of Grose Vale was facing a dark future after he was diagnosed with aggressive bile duct cancer in February 2007.
Despite the constant bouts of pain that strike him, Mr Tame still continues to lead an active lifestyle, achieving his black belt in karate in August 2008, still attending classes even though he's battling pain and gets tired at times from the cancer."
His daughter said he has an incredible physique for his age, thanks to the gym he has always kept in his garage.
The cheerful Mr Tame of Grose Vale was facing a dark future after he was diagnosed with aggressive bile duct cancer in February 2007.
Despite the constant bouts of pain that strike him, Mr Tame still continues to lead an active lifestyle, achieving his black belt in karate in August 2008, still attending classes even though he's battling pain and gets tired at times from the cancer."
His daughter said he has an incredible physique for his age, thanks to the gym he has always kept in his garage.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Kids Kicking Cancer
This seems like a really great program!
Story:
A martial arts program at some local New York hospitals has children using physical therapy and meditation to fight illness, according to wcbstv.com.
Children with cancer or sickle cell anemia can focus on something else entirely through the "Kids Kicking Cancer" program.
"These children are getting a little edge, a skill to fight an opponent: pain, stress, boredom, feeling sick, nausea, all the stuff that goes along with their medical challenges," the director of the program, said.
Story:
A martial arts program at some local New York hospitals has children using physical therapy and meditation to fight illness, according to wcbstv.com.
Children with cancer or sickle cell anemia can focus on something else entirely through the "Kids Kicking Cancer" program.
"These children are getting a little edge, a skill to fight an opponent: pain, stress, boredom, feeling sick, nausea, all the stuff that goes along with their medical challenges," the director of the program, said.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
A New Lease on Life
Florida -- Two-time cancer survivor, 62-year-old Shary Pittman was met with skepticism when she took up martial arts a while ago in High Springs. In fact, her 7-year-old grandson told her outright "(...) you're too old and you're too fat to do martial arts."
Mrs Pittman turned a deaf ear, and she intends, in her own words, to go "all the way" - meaning: She is already set for a black belt.
Reading about this survivor and ready born fighter, I don't doubt her for even half a second. She will make it!
"I won't quit for anything. You look in the mirror and you're old, and you're embarrassed because you're overweight. Then you punch the lady in the mirror and say, 'Keep going! You don't have to lay down and die; get up and FIGHT!" she said.
The inspirational woman has credited her martial arts classes with giving her strength, saying she's gotten more limber and healthier.
"It will work you through the pain, and you'll work through it with a smile," she said. "By the second class, my energy level tripled," she said. "You'd be amazed even for an older person at how fast your body responds."
Read the whole story at highspringsherald.com.
Mrs Pittman turned a deaf ear, and she intends, in her own words, to go "all the way" - meaning: She is already set for a black belt.
Reading about this survivor and ready born fighter, I don't doubt her for even half a second. She will make it!
"I won't quit for anything. You look in the mirror and you're old, and you're embarrassed because you're overweight. Then you punch the lady in the mirror and say, 'Keep going! You don't have to lay down and die; get up and FIGHT!" she said.
The inspirational woman has credited her martial arts classes with giving her strength, saying she's gotten more limber and healthier.
"It will work you through the pain, and you'll work through it with a smile," she said. "By the second class, my energy level tripled," she said. "You'd be amazed even for an older person at how fast your body responds."
Read the whole story at highspringsherald.com.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
She Never Stopped Fighting
On those rare occations when I might begin to believe that I'm tough, I quickly get down to earth by reading about those who really are.
Story from uticaod.com:
Newport's Dana Petrillo – a single mother, diagnosed with breast cancer and coping with the death of her mother – never stopped fighting.
"Some days I felt like I just wanted to give up," she said. "I was just exhausted some days, I'd say 'I can't do it.' But I had my kids and I would just tell myself I couldn't quit."
She didn't just fight back, she excelled.
Story from uticaod.com:
Newport's Dana Petrillo – a single mother, diagnosed with breast cancer and coping with the death of her mother – never stopped fighting.
"Some days I felt like I just wanted to give up," she said. "I was just exhausted some days, I'd say 'I can't do it.' But I had my kids and I would just tell myself I couldn't quit."
She didn't just fight back, she excelled.
Friday, November 23, 2007
A Celebration of Life
Indiana -- For Dr. Mitch Goldman of Carmel, earning his taekwondo black belt wasn't about ego, indystar.com reports.
The 43-year-old colon cancer survivor called training in the Korean martial art "a celebration of life."
"(Taekwondo) is a good balance of my family, fun and exercise," said Goldman, medical director of the Hilbert Pediatric Emergency Department at Peyton Manning Children's Hospital. "It's something I enjoy and love -- along with my career and family. It's a perfect troika."
The 43-year-old colon cancer survivor called training in the Korean martial art "a celebration of life."
"(Taekwondo) is a good balance of my family, fun and exercise," said Goldman, medical director of the Hilbert Pediatric Emergency Department at Peyton Manning Children's Hospital. "It's something I enjoy and love -- along with my career and family. It's a perfect troika."
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Out for a soda
Obviously a very determined man, as well as someone with many talents; impressive!
Story:
Preston Barden, 46, of Collingswood, NJ is walking from New York City to Los Angeles and back in an effort to raise money for children stricken with cancer.
"I told my wife I was going out for a soda and I'd be right back," Barden joked. He won't return home for a long time.
His 5,900-mile trek to Los Angeles and back will be daunting, and he hopes to break the Guinness Book of World Records for the fastest time across America on foot on a never previously attempted "round trip."
Barden began training in the martial arts in 1978, and has continued training to this day. He has four black belts. Barden is a certified welder, a certified commercial scuba diver, has a Master's of Arts in physical education, a Master's of Arts in occupational Chinese medicine, and a Doctorate in Divinity as an ordained reverend. He is also a flute designer, painter and a carpenter.
Source
Story:
Preston Barden, 46, of Collingswood, NJ is walking from New York City to Los Angeles and back in an effort to raise money for children stricken with cancer.
"I told my wife I was going out for a soda and I'd be right back," Barden joked. He won't return home for a long time.
His 5,900-mile trek to Los Angeles and back will be daunting, and he hopes to break the Guinness Book of World Records for the fastest time across America on foot on a never previously attempted "round trip."
Barden began training in the martial arts in 1978, and has continued training to this day. He has four black belts. Barden is a certified welder, a certified commercial scuba diver, has a Master's of Arts in physical education, a Master's of Arts in occupational Chinese medicine, and a Doctorate in Divinity as an ordained reverend. He is also a flute designer, painter and a carpenter.
Source
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Still up and kicking
At 75 years old, Lou Davis is still up and kicking. Literally.
The tae kwon do black belt revamped his youth group during the past year to raise money for diabetes research.
"Diabetes is not only affecting the elderly now, it's hitting the kids because they are not active enough," he said.
Davis' group, Martial Artists Against Drugs, encourages kids to be involved in sports to keep them away from drugs and violence. He began using the organization to put together fund-raisers for cancer and now diabetes.
Source
The tae kwon do black belt revamped his youth group during the past year to raise money for diabetes research.
"Diabetes is not only affecting the elderly now, it's hitting the kids because they are not active enough," he said.
Davis' group, Martial Artists Against Drugs, encourages kids to be involved in sports to keep them away from drugs and violence. He began using the organization to put together fund-raisers for cancer and now diabetes.
Source
Saturday, June 03, 2006
"Sandan Shuffle"
Another musician that finds martial arts benefitial.
Story:
Saxophonist Virginia Mayhew has two passions that keep her kicking and swinging, onstage and off: jazz and karate.
In fact, she wrote the title tune of her newly released CD, "Sandan Shuffle," while testing for her third-degree black belt -- known as the "sandan" ranking.
Mayhew began learning seido karate soon after moving to New York and views the practice as a good counterbalance to her music.
"I've gone through obsessive phases," she says. She studied "three times a week, when I was really rocking. I feel really great when I do that."
Shortly after achieving the sandan certification last spring, Mayhew was found to have breast cancer. She had a lumpectomy, then months of chemotherapy and radiation. "The surgery was nothing, compared to the chemo and radiation," she says. "It was a drag, and it was expensive, but I was on the road playing, 10 days afterward."
Source
Story:
Saxophonist Virginia Mayhew has two passions that keep her kicking and swinging, onstage and off: jazz and karate.
In fact, she wrote the title tune of her newly released CD, "Sandan Shuffle," while testing for her third-degree black belt -- known as the "sandan" ranking.
Mayhew began learning seido karate soon after moving to New York and views the practice as a good counterbalance to her music.
"I've gone through obsessive phases," she says. She studied "three times a week, when I was really rocking. I feel really great when I do that."
Shortly after achieving the sandan certification last spring, Mayhew was found to have breast cancer. She had a lumpectomy, then months of chemotherapy and radiation. "The surgery was nothing, compared to the chemo and radiation," she says. "It was a drag, and it was expensive, but I was on the road playing, 10 days afterward."
Source
Monday, May 22, 2006
Four year battle
Brendan’s four year battle with cancer is on-going.
“His ability to walk is down, but his spirits are up. He just finished his week of chemo on Friday. It didn’t help much — but we have a new drug approved for next month,” said Shannon.
Despite having chemo, Brendan still attended karate last week, pushing himself to learn new moves. He has used the power he feels from karate to battle his cancer.
Source
“His ability to walk is down, but his spirits are up. He just finished his week of chemo on Friday. It didn’t help much — but we have a new drug approved for next month,” said Shannon.
Despite having chemo, Brendan still attended karate last week, pushing himself to learn new moves. He has used the power he feels from karate to battle his cancer.
Source
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Like a street fight
Bob Maschmeier, a prominent Pacifica kajukenbo karate teacher, went through a year last year that was harder than anything he has ever faced in his hardest, most rigorous training.
Diagnosed with cancer, he underwent a seven-hour surgery during which both his lungs collapsed and after which he developed a blood clot. But the surgery did successfully remove a tumor bigger than a golf ball from a lymph node in his neck.
"Because of the martial arts thing, I related to it like a street fight," said Maschmeier, 63, "Whatever it takes to win. That was my attitude."
Source
Diagnosed with cancer, he underwent a seven-hour surgery during which both his lungs collapsed and after which he developed a blood clot. But the surgery did successfully remove a tumor bigger than a golf ball from a lymph node in his neck.
"Because of the martial arts thing, I related to it like a street fight," said Maschmeier, 63, "Whatever it takes to win. That was my attitude."
Source
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