"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Sunday, June 05, 2011

Sunday's A Gift to me . . . thank you!

Sorry to keep you in suspense - but had to go to church, post the pictures, and then the blog! THANK YOU MY FRIENDS!

Here are some pictures from the testing: Now you might think that these moves are just random - and that they can place their hands and feet anywhere. NO WAY - each move is strategic - every foot and hand move has to be perfectly executed.

Just a note - every one moves at their own pace - so they may not be in the same place the GS is.


The row my grandson is in - is from his Choi Kwang Do Center - he trains at the Headquarters - in Kennesaw - which is International. They just opened one in Sweden. They will celebrate their 25th anniversary next year.

Notice the spinning side kick has to be waist level. Now the difference from Tai Kwang Do and Choi Kwang Do is 3 things -ours is a defensive not offensive martial arts meaning they only use it in defense - never to bully or hurt.


Therefore there are no tournaments - it is for self defense, self confidence, and exercise.


Notice his hands held up in a defensive move. The 3rd way it is different is that in Tai Kwang Do - the direction and things they are taught - many people end up injured. Choi was invented I guess if you will - to move the opposite direction and in the natural way the body wants to move.

They are taught not to kick with rigid knees or straight hands - so that there is no injury to the body. Emory University here is starting to teach it there. Grand Master Choi - has been interviewed around the world.


See how the little one behind GS has his foot up at this particular time? One heel has to be up like that.

The grandson's too.


I tell you what - he is one strong dude.

The front kick. They are also taught how to get out of holds by someone trying to hurt them.



These are the principles they follow and repeat at the beginning of every class.

And the junior promise is said at the beginning of each class.


This is at the end of testing and I am sure you want to know if he passed or not. But this picture means so much to us - this is a little guy here with SPD and ADHD - he is sitting - listening - focusing - and learning! This is the gift this martial arts has given him.
Five years ago he could not do that. Oh my gosh - he could barely move - could have cared less about form - talked all the time - didn't sit still (GS sit still - we heard that for years) - pulled at the rug - ah the memories. And they never ever gave up on the grandson.

This man here Master P told us when he first began - said he could do it and believed in him - and said that the GS would start to believe in himself. That the going thru the colored belts would change his mind. That he would eventually get black belt mentality. And after five years he has.

These were the judges. The man on the right said he started in special ed classes, had ADHD and was on medication, and had an anger issue. Choi Kwang Do changed his life and now he owns his own studio.

And he has and the GS told the three of us - "Thank you for not giving up on me", on his own!

This is one of the instructors who didn't give up on him. Apparently they had talked and decided as a whole team not to give up on the GS!

So do you think he passed? YES HE DID! He is forever a black belt and is on his way to second degree - another 3 years!




A big thank you to Ann, Ann, Cheri, Barb, Betty, Buttercup, Diane, Eva Marie, Ginny, Karen, Kim, Linda, Lisa, Maria, Myra, Nikki, Pat, Sandra, Susan, Tanna, Trish, Victor and all the others I missed (family and friends) who prayed and cheered the grandson on!

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Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records.

William A. Ward

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am delighted to hear that he passed his test, and it's a joy to see his happy face! Lovely photos and thank you for sharing. For him this is a very well deserved achievment...hugs to Andy!!! And good luck with the continous training...!

I can relate to ADHD as my daughter has it as well, she is 23 now and handling it perfectly, however there were some years when she was younger that was really a challenge.

Have a lovely Sunday my friend :-)

Hugs from Ireland

Southhamsdarling said...

Oh, I can't tell you how happy that post made me, Chatty! That gorgeous little boy PASSED, and he looks so attentive in that photo. Didn't he do well. Even I am very proud of him, so I just can't imagine how you and his mum must be feeling. Wonderful that you didn't give up on him. I am sure this will enable him to go on to bigger and better things. Well done that man!! This is the wonderful thing about blogging, I feel - that we can share in our friends sorrows and joys and encourage them when necessary. God bless my friend.

Mevely317 said...

Woo-hooooo ... I'm doing the happy dance here, Sandie!!!

OK, it seemed excruciating while reading this post -- not to jump ahead to the end (LOL... you tease!) -- but found your explanations really interesting!

MadSnapper said...

when i saw that yes he did and that so big grin, i got tears in my eyes, what a truly wonderful story this is. so happy for him and for you and your family. maybe someone will read this that has a child like this and find there is hope. great job of telling the story. i read every word and studied all the photos. you get A+ and your prize belt is on the way. LOL

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I am SO excited for him! Huge congrats :-) I can tell from that grin he is pleased!

Melanie said...

So happy to hear the good news. You must be very proud of him. That's quite an accomplishment! :)
Thanks for sharing all those great pictures! Love that grin!
Hope you're having a wonderful Sunday, my friend.♥

Ginny Hartzler said...

What a wonderful, wonderful story, not only of your grandson, but these people who are so dedicated to helping build up these children!! GREAT pictures!!! So now I want to her how you celebrated!

Terra said...

This is a beautiful story and brought a tear to my eyes. People not giving up on him and him not giving up on himself: hurray! And he passed, how cool is that? Very cool.

Stella said...

I know you are so thrilled he has found a passion that makes him happy and content. His big grin says it all.

betty said...

congrats to GS and to all of you Sandie! I am so thankful God led you to that program, because I truly believe he did, it seems like it has done WONDERS for all of you, including and especially GS! Wonder accomplishments he has done and will continue to do with this program and through the rest of his life! I know God's hand is definitely on him and your family!!

betty

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

Congrats to your black belt! He seems so happy. We should all learn the discipline that they learn...

Love Of Quilts said...

I never had a doubt...he did good. Trish

Jeanie said...

Your pride in your grandson shines through in this whole post,
Sandie. This is a powerful story.
Congrats to all of you, and especially to your grandson.

Ann said...

HOORAY!!!!! Congratulations to your grandson. I've heard that martial arts can do a world of wonders for a persons confidence. My neighbors son took lessons and there was an amazing transformation in him as he progressed.
Your GS looks so happy, he should be very proud of himself

Tanna said...

Sandie, I am bawling like a baby!! What a wonderful and inspiring story! CONGRATULATIONS to your dear GS and to ALL who never gave up!! Just my favorite kind of story!! Hugs and blessings!! Tanna

Doris Sturm said...

Congratulations - that is a wonderful success story and not just for him, but for you too as a family!

Sharon said...

That smile just says it all! What joy!

CONGRATS on this awesome accomplishment, Andy! We are all so proud of you. You are a real inspiration to so many of us (especially me) - teaching that there's nothing you can't do if you put your mind to it.

And yay to those who support Andy in achieving these milestones...

GOD BLESS!

DaCraftyLady said...

Hip hip hooray he passed!!! How fun is that...good for him....loved the photos, they are so cute and his smile always puts a smile on my face as he has such a cheerful look...just a wonderful story....he was determined and he succeeded!! Truely touching..Debb

Susan said...

YAYYYYYY ANDY!!!! Awesome dude! YAYYYYY GRAMMIE!!!! Your heart must be so filled with joy, Sandie. Thanks for sharing the great photos, too! Terrific! Susan

Debbie said...

I'll start with a big hearty CONGRATULATIONS to him!

I think this is wonderful, and with such a problem with ADD and ADHD with our children today, it is very valuable information. I should have known that it was so good for focus. It makes perfect sense since it's so positive on self-discipline.

I'm going to pass this information along.

Unknown said...

I suppose this means that I should try to be a lot nicer to you.

Unknown said...

How wonderful, Sandie. Give him a big hug for me ... how proud he should be.

I love stories like this & look at his great big proud smile, he deserves every bit of it.

Have a beautiful week ~
TTFN~
Hugs,
Marydon

Changes in the wind said...

A happy ending for sure. So glad this training has been so benificial.

Pat MacKenzie said...

What an amazing accomplishment for GS. You all must be so proud of him. Congratulations.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Sara is sitting here with me and said what a cutie GS is!! I am so proud of him and can't wait to see him and give him a big congrats.
love,
Linda