"Adapt for Life" is a program created by Sifu Paul Vunak in which physically challenged children are taught self-confidence through modified martial arts training.  Inspired by his past work with such children, my training partner, Mr Eric Takamine, and I implemented a program we called "Adapt for Light" at the Westlight Community Church in West Los Angeles.  Through this activity, we had the privilege and joy of teaching martial arts to a precious four year-old child named Kendall Mulvihill.  Kendall, born four months prematurely at a body-weight of 1.5 pounds, is afflicted with a congenital brain condition known as cerebral palsy. This neurologic condition has left him wheelchair-bound with minimal use of his legs, and a largely spastic left hand.  However, Kendall's warm personality and fondness for playing games gave us plenty to work with over the course of four months.   I would like to share our fun and fulfilling experience with you.

After initially obtaining his mother's permission to work with him, we established several teaching objectives.

These included:
1) establishing a friendly rapport;
2) teaching simple, yet functional self-defense movements through fun, game-like drills;
3) encouraging the use of his weaker muscles;
4) building self-esteem;
5) providing spiritual stimulation.

*ESTABLISHING  RAPPORT-  Eric and I spent time familiarizing ourselves with Kendall's amazing life story, family members, schooling, and extracurricular interests.  It was interesting to learn that he, at four years of age, was already a BIG fan of the "Gilmore Girls" television series.  We also became acquainted with his very supportive mother (Mrs. Kaoru Mulvihill) and brothers,  who were later invaluable in assisting us during the training sessions.

*DRILLS: SIMPLE and FUN-  We met weekly on Sunday mornings for 15-20 minute sessions which also involved Kendall's mother.  We used a broad array of training equipment, ranging from conventional focus mitts to colorful toys and candy.

Here are a few examples of drills we performed with our bright-eyed student.

1) "Slip Me One"-  A large  (4 -inches-in-diameter), bright green styrofoam rod was slowly advanced towards Kendall's face while he was sitting in his wheelchair.  Upon command, he would either duck or slip to evade the rod.

2) "Stand and Deliver!" -  A horizontally-oriented Kali stick with two colorful plastic rings hanging from it was placed just above Kendall's head.  He grabbed onto each of the rings and strongly pulled on them,  while using his weakened leg muscles to attempt to stand in his wheelchair.  We found ourselves cheering for our young star, shouting "C'mon, Kendall... GOOD JOB!  One more time...!!  Do one more (repetition) than last Sunday!"

3) "Lollipop Biu Gee (finger-jab)"- Knowing that he liked candy, and LOVED the "Gilmore Girls" television characters, I taped pictures of two of the show's stars onto two lollipops.  The pieces of candy were used  in a flashcard-like fashion, with Kendall instructed to perform a left finger-jab when one of the lollipops was flashed, and a right finger-jab when the other was raised. He giggled and smiled incessantly during this drill and was presented with "Gilmore Pops" after the session.

4) "Jump Start"- Do you think kicking drills are not possible for a wheelchair-bound child?  Think again...A vertically-oriented focus mitt was held a few yards from Kendall, situated in his wheelchair. Suddenly, one of us would pick him up and position his body horizontally. While holding him tightly the entire time, we sent him "flying" through the air, feet-first, towards the focus mitt. Just prior to impact, the child was instructed to "kick" his legs and make contact with the target.  This adapted flying sidekick drill brought squeals of delight from Kendall's vocal cords.

*ENCOURAGING the WEAK ONES-  Our student's weakened left hand and finger contractures made it difficult for him to use his  entire left upper extremity.  Thanks to Sifu Vunak's idea, we attempted to "reprogram" Kendall's perception of his left hand by referring to it as his "GOOD hand".  During drilling, our young friend had a natural preference for using his right hand.  Thus, to offset this, we often gently told him,  "No, Kendall...Use your LEFT hand...your GOOD hand..."

*YOUNG SPIRITUALITY- At the beginning of each training session, we included a simplified children's message and short time of prayer.  These were hopefully edifying to student and instructors, alike.

I hope that sharing this fulfilling "Adapt for Life" experience will serve to ignite a calling from within yourself to reach out to some of  the needy and challenged children in  your own community. With a little imagination and compassion, implementing such a program may redirect your martial arts journey onto a new path of healing through encouragement.