New martial
arts course set for September
By David Pan
Enterprise sports editor
SHORELINE -- A new martial arts program for students with special
challenges will be offered for the first time next month at the
Shoreline/South County YMCA.
The instructor of the program is Cheryl Wieser, president of Ability
Unlimited of Washington, a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching
the martial arts to handicapped students.
Wieser has been studying the martial arts since 1981 and started
teaching in 1994. She has won gold medals both at the national and
international level. Gregory is a member of the Eastern USA
International Martial Arts Association Black Belt Hall of Fame.
One of Wieser's students, Jeremy Gregory, recently won three medals at
last month's USA National Karate-Do Federation National Championships.
Gregory, who was born with spina bifida, competes in a wheelchair.
The positive impact of the martial arts on Gregory's life helped inspire
Wieser to develop this new martial arts program.
"I just realized that it's very rewarding," Wieser said of working with
Gregory. "It's satisfying and it makes me a better instructor."
Though the emphasis in the new class is on specially challenged
students, individuals of all abilities are welcome to attend. The class
is scheduled to start Sept. 14.
"The students will drive the program," Wieser said.
The program will revolve around the martial arts but will also deal with
a number of issues.
"We're simply going to use martial arts as the way to do the exercises
and the muscle development and muscle retention," Wieser said.
She also hopes to get some therapists involved in the future.
Parents will play an important role in determining the types of
exercises and movements that are appropriate for their child.
"As long as they're willing to try, we'll find a way to do it," Wieser
said. "We can adapt anything. It can be done. We use what we have."
For more information on the Shoreline/South County's new martial arts
program for students with special challenges, call Carolyn Holt at
206-364-1700. For more information on Ability Unlimited of Washington,
e-mail Wieser at
cwnidan@hotmail.com.
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Ability Unlimited of Washington is a fully qualified 501 c)3 organization. All contributions are tax deductible.
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