Thoughts on us.

[Joshua Powell]

I know what I say may not be accurate, but please listen to it. I come in here every night to see if anyone at all is in here...and it's usually just me. You guys spend most of you'r time in different forums...but barely spend any time in these ones why? I would like to learn you'r true thoughts about having a disabled martial arts forum...I don't want to sound as if I am judging, but I for one feel uncomfortable in other forums...I just feel more at home here, but at the same time almost nobody comes in here anymore. Please give me your thoughts...and I am very sorry if what I say comes around as judging you:(

[Joshua Powell]

I guess a better way for me to put this would be...how do you think we can make this part of the site better?

[myki]

Hi Joshua,

I don't think people just don't bother coming to this area as much as they probably don't know about it.
DMA is a very unique category. Personally I'm glad it's here! I tend to venture in most other areas but I check in here first to see what's up.

I've been away from MAP for some time, but the first thing I did was check the DMA area.

Cheers!

[KenpoDavid]

I read MAP by using the "new Posts" button. If there are new threads or any new posts in old threads, they are listed for me, and I browse them and respond where I like. I almost never notice what section the threads are in, I just read them and reply as needed.

[Yohan]

I, for one am proud of the fact that we have a DMA forum here. I've never really posted here - I don't check it terribly often, and haven't really posted on any threads here. I think one way to get this part of the forum more popular is to start threads in here that relate to martial arts in general, and not just to disabilities, that way there will be a wider appeal for people to check out the forum.

[Saz]

Content is King... we need to get some in here or no-one will view it.

If anyone wants to right articles, posts, storys or whatever for this area, please do :)

[Shrukin89]

I do have CAPD which is a mental disability, just to be specific on the word mental but anyway. What I would think is that content for sure is one thing that would drive this thread or any other postings that may be interesting to others. But I don't think many of us have mental or physical disabilities on this site.

Others may think differently as the word "disability" to be classified as mentally retarded, or challenged. Or someone having one arm or being in a wheelchair, having no legs as a physical disability.

There are many other things defining of what disability is. But as I notice is that people share their stories relating to their problems and how they cope with their disablility. Or just by posting their disabilities to get help by someone else.


Yet the disabled people have that disablility for the rest of their lives. I don't think it would have to be repeated twice or repeating the same story over and over. In the other categories there's lots to talk about.

[Ragnarok2005]

You guys spend most of you'r time in different forums...but barely spend any time in these ones why?

I don't have anything to contribute I guess. I don't post in the Capoeira forum either. :o

How about the other way round Joshua? You're not limited. You're welcome to post in all the other forums! The General discussion, the off-topic area. Look forwards to seeing you there.

[KaratekaAndy]

I use the new threads button which is usually made up of threads mainly in the more used sectors of MAP.


I'll try to post more in this section.

[KellyOwens]

Shrukin, do you mean CAPD as in central auditory processing disorder? If so I wouldn't call it a "mental disorder". It's considered an expressive/receptive learning disability usually caused by a neurological condition.

Whether or not that's what you meant, based on symptoms I highly suspect I have a CAPD (I have a neurolgical condition that predisposes me to it). I can't afford the testing for it at this point although I'm sure my neurologist would be willing to do it.

I agree with what you stated though, a disability whether mental, physical or emotional is still a disability. I would imagine this forum encompasses all types.

It seems to me this forum is about how our disabilities come to bear on our training or vice versa. It's not simply to share about our condition but to encourage and support each other through the trials and victories along the way.

I've never posted here but I most likely will more often.

I can understand to a certain extent as to why you may not feel as comfortable posting elsewhere Joshua. There is a great deal of misunderstanding of those with disabilities. I don't know if that's your reason or not but I personally find it difficult to explain my circumstances because it makes me sound like I'm making excuses for myself. It's like I tell my husband, I don't need excuses, I have reasons :D .

Anyway, I'm glad to be here and look forward to getting to know ya'll :) !

Kelly

[Novembers Paul]

Hey Joshua,

I just found this forum, and i'm thrilled there's a DMA forum that exists! I'll be posting here more often as well.

[Melanie]

How about the other way round Joshua? You're not limited. You're welcome to post in all the other forums! The General discussion, the off-topic area. Look forwards to seeing you there.

Here, here!

Its not a case if you have a disability post in here you know. I don't have a disability and I mod this section???

I don't think the intention of this forum is to isolate people. Even though there are different sections - they are all on the same forum. Its not about differences - its about what we all have in common - our love of martial arts. :)

Joshua - meet the other people on the other forums - I see you have posted on others too, not just DMA.

I am sorry you feel uncomfortable on other forums - maybe you could talk about how your style is being taught in general? (not just to disabled maists). You can comment in off topic and jokes forums. Heck - you could write a poem or perhaps interview someone and have your article added to our Articles section. You might want to start a journal too? http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/journal.php

I don't think your judging people - but I also don't think you're giving yourself a chance to get more involved on the forum :) Give it a go!

[E-Rocker]

I don't post to any section of MAP much anymore, but it was the DMA section that inspired me to join MAP in the first place.

[Alansmurf]

As others have said feel free to post in all or any Forums that you want. I study Jujitsu but I am interested in reading about all and any posts on the system.

Everyone on this planet is different it is the nature of the human beast. the road of discovery about Martial Arts involves the sharing of knowledge and that is what the Forums are about.

Go explore things you have never done through this medium ask questions and enjoy what is here.

Joshua dont be self exclusive or excluding of others by saying "what do you think of us?" rather what do you think of technique A or B and how could it be adapted .

Try not to be argumentative, be tolerant of others and enjoy life . :Angel:

[101madfilipinos]

i think as much as you feel alienated outside of here i think the same goes for the people with the shoes on the other foot.
this forum is kind of a double edged sword.
who here, by merit of them being here and being Martial artists is unable to do anything they set out to do?
if youve over come your disability are you really disabled?
or just a bit different?
is anybody really the same?
i find martial artists or anybody who is able to over come a disability and persevere inspirational.
to see you succeed, and persevere, regardless of setbacks gives me no excuse to make excuses.

get out there.

and just be a martial artist.
thats what you are isnt it?

[Wax]

I check out this forum if its marked with a new topic and contribute if I have something worthwile to say. My understanding was that it was aimed at discussing problems and solutions specifically to do with DMA and that the more general stuff would be discussed in the relevant forum.

I probably do restrain from posting here at times, as do others I suspect, because of the 'PC' issue. I'm lucky enough to have limited experience with all sorts of disabilities because of my Mum's job as a special ed teacher (atm helping the 'integrated' student) but I still feel somewhat wary of saying something that may be considered as impolite or insensitive.

[iHeretic]

Seriously, don't worry about offending us. For the most part I'd imagine that if they're doing something pro-active like MA and hanging out here, then they're probably not the easiest to offend.

"The world takes my wheelchair far too seriously and, frankly, I'm not going to stand for it!" - anon

/b/

[101madfilipinos]

"The world takes my wheelchair far too seriously and, frankly, I'm not going to stand for it!"

hahhaa
lol

[KellyOwens]

"The world takes my wheelchair far too seriously and, frankly, I'm not going to stand for it!" - anon

THAT is hilarious!!! :D

101madfilipinos,

You know that's what appeals to me most about MA is that regardless of what I attain physically in comparison to the next guy I've still succeeded. I've grown as a person and I've gone further than I could have had I decided not to try. There is no "letting the team down" or "holding others back" mentality. It's about what I'm able to accomplish as an individual inside AND out.

LOL, I agree with iheretic, disabled people who have stepped out of their shell are hard to offend...we're pretty used to stares, criticism and not-so-well-thought-out comments :D . Generally we've stopped caring so much about what others think...seems we have an edge in that department :) . It's amazing how a disability can change your perspective on what's important and what isn't.

We may not be as strong as some on the outside but we're stronger than most on the inside :Angel: . Weakness in one area has a way of strengthening in others :) .

Kelly

[The Kestrel]

Well, i dont post here. But i got a permanent injury in my left ankle. Still, i do TKD and i'm enjoying it.and i plan to stick with it.

I do not feel like i'm in a terrible handicap for not be able to kick hard with the left leg in sparring.

[101madfilipinos]

"101madfilipinos,

You know that's what appeals to me most about MA is that regardless of what I attain physically in comparison to the next guy I've still succeeded. I've grown as a person and I've gone further than I could have had I decided not to try. There is no "letting the team down" or "holding others back" mentality. It's about what I'm able to accomplish as an individual inside AND out."

much respect to you, mrs owens.
you could teach many able bodied practioners some very valuable lessons, i am sure.
salute.

[KungFuGrrrl]

Once, when I was first given my handicap parking placard, I was embarrased at times to use it tho I may hve been in horrible pain, as I was 39 did not look disabled and usually running ariound in my KF pants, shoes and tshirt as I also teach (ruptured disc into spinal cord and had osteo-arthritis)...... then one day at a mini mall, I was hurting so thought
:what the heck, Im using my placard"

a man stepped in front of me and said VERY loudly to me
"YOU dont look disabled!"

I looked and him and replied "Well THATS funny cuz you dont look a DARN thing like my orthopedic surgeon"!
everyone laughed and I use my placard now when I need to!

KFG

[Alansmurf]

Nice response to an assnine idiot ...

:D

[narcsarge]

I read MAP by using the "new Posts" button. If there are new threads or any new posts in old threads, they are listed for me, and I browse them and respond where I like. I almost never notice what section the threads are in, I just read them and reply as needed.

Couldn't have stated it any better. Sorry Joshua, I do not mean to ignore a vital forum. :Angel:

[adouglasmhor]

I don't consider myself disabled even though I have a pension and card from the army that says I am. In saying that I do admit to having health issues and struggling to beat them sometimes. I also sometimes find myself taking risks with my health in trying to do new things, but I would rather make a mistake and get over it than not try.

[Yang, Dae-han]

OP,

I am not one that could qualify to be labelled 'disabled' (physically, at least), so my take on this is a bit ignorant.

I also do not post much on threads here (the site, in general) for various reasons, and I probably would not have had I not been a part of an event today.

Now, I do not want to hijack this thread, but the intention of this example is to display how some, if not most, of us feel about DMA. So today was day 2 of national qualifiers for USATaekwondo in Miami, FL. I was on the floor or in the holding area all day, so I was around the players and noticed nothing strange/odd/different. Whilst waiting for one of my kid's match to begin we sat and watched the match before us.

Black belt men (heavy weights, I estimate) were performing well and I was going over, with my players, our critique(s) of their game. Well, 2nd round finishes and 30 second break enacted, and one of the coaches from another school (our opponents, which, btw-we whipped all...gold gold and gold... high five to us) said, "wow, he has good balance."

Me: Yes. (3 second lapse, <in my mind> "wait, why? Did he perform any aerial moves? No. Multiples on one leg? No. Ohhhhhhhhhhh, I see...")

He was an (arm) amputee. Seriously, what the? I saw that he hadn't two arms for hours...and truly, it wasn't until someone pointed out/ suggested/insinuated that he 'must' have a harder time performing, that I stood in uffish thought.

Whoops, match over...my guy in and me in "coaches mind mode." Totally forgot about the incident until this thread title was in the highlights section.

For me, unless you are seriously disabled, I am not phased one bit and do not even give it a second thought.

Wrong? Perhaps. If so, please enlighten.

I, however, didn't think like this until 1992. Why? My Hapkido master was teaching a few of us and I, a high school lad, thought the guy in the wheelchair was no match/incapable of controlling me when I attacked (due to his situation). That thought lasted roughly the time it took me to attack. After that, I taught some SD courses at uni where I had sessions dedicated to/for the "disabled." I got them to fuse into our regular classes...no problems and a, relatively, easy adjustment.

Though this forum does have some serious topics to address, and I'll be the first to put my two pence worth in, but on the other hand...I do not regularly visit this site, let alone this forum.


Cheers,

DH

[Joshua Powell]

Once, when I was first given my handicap parking placard, I was embarrased at times to use it tho I may hve been in horrible pain, as I was 39 did not look disabled and usually running ariound in my KF pants, shoes and tshirt as I also teach (ruptured disc into spinal cord and had osteo-arthritis)...... then one day at a mini mall, I was hurting so thought
:what the heck, Im using my placard"

a man stepped in front of me and said VERY loudly to me
"YOU dont look disabled!"

I looked and him and replied "Well THATS funny cuz you dont look a DARN thing like my orthopedic surgeon"!
everyone laughed and I use my placard now when I need to!

KFG

I think that is extremely cool:) Is it ok if I quote you next time sombody tells me I don't look disabled??? I know it will happen again!

[Incredible Bulk]

i use the 'new posts' shortcut....

there are no posts i could reply to nor have i any general experiances with disabled martial arts.
Its the same as Wing chun forum, i dont practice wing chun and i have nothing worthwhile to contribute so i dont spam up the threads with 'bump to what he said'

[KungFuGrrrl]

I think that is extremely cool:) Is it ok if I quote you next time sombody tells me I don't look disabled??? I know it will happen again!

Surely But Of Course! :)
LMAO
KFG

[Joshua Powell]

Thanks:)