Blind and visually impaired children learn about judo…

Rich on : Thursday, November 13th, 2008 Print This

Blind Judo Foundation Gives Free Demonstration to Visually Impaired Children and Their Families

NEW YORK, Nov 12, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX

Blind and visually impaired children from the New York City area will learn about the history and techniques of the ancient sport of Judo from Paralympic Silver Medalist, Andre Watson, and the 2008 Paralympic Judo Team Leader, Marc Vink, on Saturday, November 15, 2008, at Modern Martial Arts in Manhattan. This event is sponsored by FamilyConnect(TM) — the national multimedia web resource for parents of children with visual impairments located at www.familyconnect.org and developed by the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and the National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI) — and the Blind Judo Foundation — a non-profit which serves to promote Judo to the blind and visually impaired community.

Saturday’s event will focus on the Olympic sport of Judo–a system of self-defense, and physical and mental discipline that aims to develop self-confidence, character, and independence in life. Attendees will be given a description of the history of Judo and an opportunity to participate in a hands-on Judo demonstration. They will learn the basics of body awareness and how to properly and securely fall; understand the importance of balance and its role in the sport; and discover how the physical capacities of Judo permit better adaptation to every day life. In addition, the children and their families will see the important roles exercise, mental focus, and sportsmanship play in empowering children who are blind or visually impaired to reach their full potential.

To reserve your spot, contact Jeanette Christie at (718) 519-7000, ext. 127, or Jaynycnapvi@aol.com.
WHEN: Saturday, November 15, 2008, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
WHERE: Modern Martial Arts, 780 8th Avenue (between 47th & 48th Sts), New York, NY
Learn More…

It should be noted that Dr. Andre Watson trains with us on occasion at Pottstown Judo, and has been a goof friend for many years. Andre has a master’s and doctorate degrees in clinical psychology from Widener University.

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A good class tonight…

Rich on : Monday, November 10th, 2008 Print This

Well we had a good class tonight. 1 class to go till the developmental tournament, Sunday, at Liberty Bell Judo, in NE Philly. I have 4 students going, Matt, Dylan, Paul, and Galen… This will be Galen’s first event, he’s 12. Sensei Fred, Andy, Scott, and myself will also be there. But won’t be fighting. It’s only a developmental event, no black belt divisions.

It’s in NE Philly, about one hour away, so I’m riding up with Paul, and his dad. I hope they all do well, Sensei Fred and I are planning a promotion shortly after the event (few weeks).

We worked every one really hard tonight! We did lots of throwing drills. And we did the last 4 rounds with me throwing EVERY ONE. Working on the 4 major throws every one knows. Major outside leg throw, major hip throw, minor inside leg throw, and shoulder throw!!!

Think I made a few of em’ dizzy, we went very fast! My back hurts now, LOL… some of you kids are heavier then ya’ll look! Let see… 11 students X 4 rounds… I did 44 throws in about 5min. uggg. A quick drink, and then a vigorous round of randori before the end of the kids class. Every one was sucking air!

Stay tuned…

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Blindsided by the big C…

Rich on : Friday, November 7th, 2008 Print This

Well I had hoped to update this blog more often, and I do hope to do that. I have not updated in the past week or so, because, well when your world goes to shit every thing is a blur. That is the way I feel.

October 31st, 2008 - that’s right Halloween, of all days. I received a phone call from Ruth, my dads wife at around 9PM. (Dad divorced my mom when I was about 7, no ill will, we’re cool). But as mom handed me the phone, I knew something was up, it was never normal for her or my dad to call this late.

Rich, I have some bad news about your dad… (Rich Sr.) he’s in the hospital… your dad has lung cancer…

We spent the next 30 minutes or so talking, and she was telling me what was going on. I knew dad was sick for the past 3 months or so, but we thought it was simply pneumonia or COPD. Dad’s 62, and has been a smoker all his life, coughing and hacking was nothing new.

He had went to the doctor for trouble breathing… Doctor advised him to go to the ER, and the ER admitted him. They took a chest x-ray and that is when they found the large mass and two smaller masses in his left lung.

Sunday, November 2nd, they drained a large amount of fluid from his lung to make it easier for him to breath.

Monday, November 3rd, they preformed a body scan, and CAT scan. – This confirmed it all. It was lung cancer, and fairly advanced.

Monday, November 10th, they started Chemotherapy and Radiation treatments. We know little more then that for now.

So… that’s my week from hell. I’m getting over the shock of it all I guess. I’ll try to keep updates going of any progress.

Thank you every one for your support and prayers.

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