Karate and Learning Diabilites

In the 80's I was a short, skinny eight-year old.studying. I considered a career in Occupational
You know the type. Always picked on but neverTherapyFinally, one day at a party, I asked
picked for the team. When I started high school,someone who I knew had studied the martial
things didn't get much better. We had just movedarts, whether they could recommend a good
to central New Jersey and I was the new kid onschool. That person recommended "Stephen's
the block with no friends. My grades dipped. MyKarate and Fitness Center" in Boca Raton.
guidance counselor thought I was so weird thatI tried a few classes and loved it. It was a
he measured my head. In those days, they hadworkout I had never experienced. In my teens
never heard of Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD.years, I had lifted weights but found that boring.
Because of my disability I attended classes withAt Stephen's Karate, I learned a unique style of
no more than six students. These "special classes"mixed martial arts that combines traditional Tae
helped me get through high school but I still hadKwon Do with boxing.
trouble focusing. I didn't make the baseball teamThere was also the exposure to the group
because of this. I felt I lacked something internally,dynamic that I enjoyed. As I slowly but surely
even though I managed to get my driver's licensemoved up through the ranks, my instructor Barry
which increased my social opportunities. Whey myStephen asked me if I wanted to become an
family moved to South Florida in 1992, I wasassistant instructor. I said yes without hesitation.
ready for a new life. I was able to get into aAt the time I was a red belt, which in our school,
college, but was still having trouble focusing andis half-way to black belt.