Disability Martial Arts Association

INTRODUCING DISABILITY MARTIAL ARTS ASSOCIATION

PEOPLE FIRST DISABILITY SECOND

Our Motto: Never Give Up

Charity Registration No: - 1053983
(C) Copyright 2007.

The Disability Martial Arts Association is a wide ranging support network for people with all types of disabilities. We have a fundamental belief that people come first and disability is second. A commond bond that unites us all is the many able bodied people, that are indifferent of our problems in the big outside World.
Each year approximately 1,000 men, women and children become paralysed due to an accident or illness. Through sport these people whose lives have been traumatically changed, can have an outlet for their frustrations and energy. By focussing on something they can do, and potentally can excel in, increase confidence and a possative outlook can can be achieved and this can influence other areas of their lives.
Please Register your Club. Give people with disabilities a chance. We need a Database to help people that are in your area that can come and train with like minded people. By opening your doors your arms and your hearts, you will be giving people with a disability hope. You will be helping them to lead a fit and healthy life.
Please remember it could happen to you. Please Don't treat us differently we are all humans after all with feelings.
We are also inviting people with disability and their family's, that is involved in or who wish to be involved in Martial Arts to get in touch with us See our contact page.....

Wanted:

Associations, Schools, Clubs, in all types of Martial Arts in any area of the UK, who are willing to teach people with all types of Disabilities. You will be affiliated to our Charity and together we can put an end to discrimination.
You will need to have a Criminal Records Bureau Check (CRB) First Aid Certificate and insurance.

YOU WILL BE VETTED.

please send us an E - Mail, through our contact page for more information.

Click on link below for our website.

Disability Martial Arts Association website for all infomation.

ABOUT THE FOUNDER OF THE D.M.A.A. (DISABILITY MARTIAL ARTS ASSOCIATION

Dave Lee our Chairman and Founder was a Keen Martial Artist before being seriously injured in a car accident in 1990 at 35 years old. The car accident happened when he and his family were on their way to a shopping trip. A speeding motorist ploughed in to their car at a junction. Lyn Dave's wife and 4 year old son Stephen escaped with minor injuries but dave took the full impact. He suffered spinal damage on impact and his L1 to L5 and S1. He was rushed to hospital where doctors told him he would never walk again.
Dave's life changed when he became paralysed from the waist down. Not only dave but for his whole family.
Dave's eldest son Stephen, nnow 21, had to adapt to seeing his dad confined to his wheelchair. His youngest son, Matthew aged 11, has never seen his father walk.
For many years dave has had to battle with deteriorating health, mentally, and physically. Dave has suffered from depression and and has even contemplated suicide many times.
Dispite being in a wheelchair and being Dyslexic Dave decided to further his education. He now has two diplomas in Clinical Hypnotherapy, and Psychotheraphy. He is also an Emotional Freedom Techniques Practitioner.
Dave use to take His Sons, to a Taekwondo Club twice a week, he used to sit in the corner of the Club and watch his sons going through their paces in the class, wishing and hoping that he could find someone who would teach him. His Motto is: "Never give up". In his mind he would go through the pattern with them, and take on board the techniques, and convert them to work for him.
After years of searching, and disappointment Dave met Mary Sellen a 5th Dan Master with 23 years experience in Taekwondo and runs the Taipan WTF Taekwondo Club. Mary had never taught anyone with any type of disability before she met Dave. When asked why she agreed to teach Dave Mary said, "she wante to teach the person not the disability". After intensive training with Mary for 5 Months, Mary graded him to a Blue Belt in Taekwondo. After a great deal of thought Mary has developed a pattern where handmovements can represent kicks. Dave and others like him will be able to benefit for years to come. Mary said, "After all we all have some form of disability we have to conquer in our lives".
In October 2006, Dave achieved his Red Belt. During April 2007, Dave achieved Black TAG 1st KUP.
Not bad for a 51 year old. (Dave also a Black Belt Kung Fu and Karate, before his car accident).
Dave was introduced to Grandmaster Larry Marks by Mary Sellen; Larry welcomed Dave with open arms. Dave has now taken up Aiki Jutsu and Kenjutsu under the watchful eye Kyoshi Marks Sempai Apleby and Sempai Crooks. Kyoshi Marks has 30 years Martial Arts experience, and is the 38th Kyoshi (Grandmaster) of Zen Kyo Shin Ryu and runs the Ronin Dojo. On the 19th November 2006, Dave along with Mary Sellen were presented with a Gold Medal from GrandMaster Gary Wasniewski 10th Dan TY - GA Karate International. at the TYGA World Open Championships. Dave for his Warrior Spirit and Mary for Training and Teaching him.