Disabled Martial Artists Stage Skills Exhibition At University
20 March 2008
Charles Spring (in white) demonstrates his skills at an earlier martial arts event in the Dome, at the University's Devonshire Campus
I set up the Association, so other people with disabilities would have easier access to martial arts.
”Dave Lee, founder and chairman of the Disability Martial Arts Association.
Martial arts with a definite twist should prove a hit with spectators - as the 'Way of the Warrior' is taken up by people with disabilities.
People with a range of disabilities, including wheelchair users, will demonstrate specially adapted versions of different Eastern fighting techniques at the first Disability Martial Arts Association one-day exhibition. It will be at the University of Derby's Devonshire Campus in Buxton from 10am-4pm on Saturday 29 March.
Hundreds of martial arts students and instructors, and their supporters, are expected to attend the event, the first one held by the UK association.
Attractions will include:
- Cane-jitsu - a demonstration of a new form of self defence which enables an elderly person, or someone with a disability, to incorporate the use of their walking stick into adapted ju-jitsu moves;
- mixed martial arts skills demonstrated by wheelchair user Dave Lee;
- attendance at the event by a blind aikido instructor.
Charles Spring - Programme Leader for the Joint Honours Martial Arts Theory and Practice degree, and sports related courses at the University of Derby's Devonshire Campus in Buxton - is an ambassador for the Disability Martial Arts Association and joint organiser of the March event.
His students are among the very few in the UK to learn how to instruct people with disabilities in martial arts as part of their degree course, and they have worked with Charles at relevant events.
Charles said: "People might assume that a person with a disability couldn't do martial arts, but a person who's blind or in a wheelchair should still be able to the same locks, holds or punches that anyone could.
"There are limitations of course however there might also be, for example, with an able-bodied person who just wasn't very flexible."
Martial arts training could help improve the confidence, fitness and opportunities to socialise of a person with a disability, as well as providing them with a means of self defence, added Charles.
Dave Lee, founder and chairman of the Disability Martial Arts Association charity, has been in a wheelchair since he was involved in a car accident 18 years ago.
Despite attaining black belts in kung fu and karate before his accident, it took him six years to find an instructor willing to teach a student who uses a wheelchair.
Dave, 52, from Enfield, Middlesex, said: "I set up the Association, so other people with disabilities would have easier access to martial arts.
"The improvement in my fitness levels since taking up martial arts again has been tremendous. I was over 15 stone in weight and this has now dropped down to about 12 stone."
The cost for people wanting to take part and train with instructors at the March 29 event will be £25 per person. The event will be open to and free for spectators.
For further information go to www.disabilitymartialartsassociation.co.uk.
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For further media information please contact Press and PR Officer Simon Butt on 01332 591891 or 07748 920023, or email s.butt@derby.ac.uk.
Press release by Press and PR Officer Sean Kirby on 01332 593004 or email s.kirby@derby.ac.uk.
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