Karate Helps Special Kids Master Challenges

They'll tell you it's the kicking and punching.

Don't worry -- the school hasn't lost control.

These are students of Karate Master Nathan Alexander.

Once a week for 12 weeks, Master Nathan left his karate studio in Mandarin to work closely with two special needs classes at the school.

The students are autistic or intellectually disabled.

For them, tasks like kicking a ball or just lifting an arm can be very challenging and often frustrating.

It's why Master Nathan decided to use his talents to help these kids work on their motor skills and strengthen their ability to focus on a task.

"I had a student who had some special needs," he explains, "and I was just curious about being able to offer the exercises to some other students."

It's the first year both Master Nathan and the kids have take on this challenge.

"What's so great about this group is how hard they try to get it right," he says with a huge smile.

"When it 'clicks' and they get if right and they smile big, it just makes my whole day."

Master Nathan has plenty of help from physical, visual and occupational therapists who are right there in the class, working one-on-one with the students who need that extra hand.

Watch my video news story on this web page and you'll see just how much delight these kids receive from the Martial Arts exercises.

You'll also hear from occupational therapist Lynn Oko, who explains exactly how beneficial the classes are for the students.

Master Nathan had so much success with this round of classes, he's in the process of getting a grant to cover year number two.

However, there's no funding for special needs karate classes over the summer.

If you'd like to help, click here to email Master Nathan, or call (904) 482 - 8588.

"Our mission statement is to provide physical, mental and character development through proper martial arts instruction," Master Nathan tells me.

His personal footnote: "As these special kids perform the techniques and they know they've done it right, they smile big. It's just so nice to see they're having fun learning."

Surely you know someone who's donating his free time to help others.

Email me and tell me about them so we can share their story!