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Isshinryu Karate

People often ask me how a guy in a wheelchair became involved in martial arts. Well, it's kind of a long story.

 My first sensei, or karate instructor, was Sensei Doug Noxon, 4th Dan (the correct term use to refer to the level of black belt rank). Sensei Noxon's school, the Academy of Martial Arts, was located only three blocks from my home. I had tried to convince my father to let me study karate when the dojo first opened, but he discouraged my interest. Dad told me that he had seen some British commandos practicing "judo" when he was stationed in England during WWII. "They beat their hands on trees!" he said incredulously. Today I believe that he thought that he was saving me from disappontment when the instructors refused to teach me. Time passed--valuable wasted time--and I graduated from high school. There was nothing for me to do at home, and there was no hope of finding a job, so I started hanging out on the street.  One night in the fall of 1968, after having had a particularly hard time at the hands of some of my 'friends' on the street corner, I decided to go down to the "karate shop," as the neighborhood kids called it.

 I sat there, watching some students spar, and it seemed like they were really kicking the snot out of each other--I loved it! Then I saw some people practicing by themselves, doing punches and blocks, and I tried to imitate them. Suddenly , the chief instructor loomed in front of me and suddenly threw a kick right at the end of my nose! I tried to block, but his iron-hard foot stopped less than an inch from my face. Then he showed me the correct way to block a kick--my very first karate lesson.

After class, Sensei Noxon asked me if I'd like to take lessons; I said yes, but that I didn't have any money to pay, and I was sure that my parents would refuse to pay the $30 per month fee. Sensei said "No problem!" He told me that he would teach me if I would help keep the school clean, answer the telephone and do other chores. I quickly agreed, and that was the beginning of my career in Isshinryu Karate and martial arts.

I grew up in the dojo (school). Sensei Noxon imposed the same harsh standards upon me as he did everyone else. With Sensei's guidance, I began to adapt the art of Isshinryu Karate to my needs and abilities. For instance, beginners in Isshinryu learn eight basic kicks. Since I cannot perform a kick, Sensei taught me the Goju-ryu kata Tensho. a short exercise made up of deflections and parries with no kicks, as a replacement. As time wore on, I learned and adapted all eight empty-hand kata [formal exercises] in Isshinryu for a wheelchair fighter, and I participated in all aspects of dojo practice, including sparring. It took a year, but I finally earned my first belt promotion, to green belt.

Tragically, Sensei Noxon was killed in an automobile accident shortly before I earned my brown belt in the spring of 1971. His partner at that time, Sensei Norbert Donnelly, 4th Dan, administered my brown belt test and approved my promotion. Finally, I tested for shodan, 1st Degree Black Belt, on March 24th, 1973. Sensei Donnelly awarded me my black obi [belt].

Today I hold the rank of 5th Dan, and I am an assistant instructor at the American Okinawan Karate Academy in Canton, Michigan, under the supervision of Master Sam Santilli and his instructor, Master Willie Adams, 9th Dan at the Southfield Martial Arts Institute in Southfield, Michigan. I have also had the privilege of studying traditional Okinawan weapons with the late Master Don Bohan, 9th Dan during his sadly brief stay at Master Adams' dojo before his untimely death in 1998.

The Internet is a great source of information on the martial arts. There are literally thousands of sites dedicated to the various martial arts.. There are also e-mail discussion lists on this subject. I subscribe to no less than six [!] karate e-mail lists: The Cyberdojo is a neat e-mail list where people from many different styles discuss all aspects of Okinawan and Japanese Karate. If you study or are simply interested in Okinawan and Japanese karate, then this list is the place for you. I subscribe to three lists for Isshinryu enthusiasts. In no particular order there is Isshinryu_The-Original-List, the Pleasant_Isshinryu list and the Prisshin list. Each list runs a bit differently, but each provides interesting information and also the occasional bit of entertainment! ;-) The ProMartialArtist list was founded by my friend and sempai [senior] Sensei Burt Maben, 5-dan. This list is aimed at professional karate instructors and dojo operators. If you run a dojo, this list is for you. Topics include everyday operations, public relations, advertising and everything dealing with the "business" of karate. Finally, there is the Shintais list, founded by my friend and fellow disabled fighter Pontus Johannson, a Black Belt in Wado Ryu. This list is devoted to the discussion of martial arts practice for anyone with a disability.

 OK, I know it's corny, but here I am, approximately age 27, demonstrating my Tameshiwara, or breaking ability at a karate tournament circa 1976. Three bricks--woo-hoo! And check the long hair!!!

I owe all of my instructors a great debt. They have had faith in me and my ability when many of their colleagues would have sent me home, and I thank them all! Recently, I have experienced some personal issues, and I have become discouraged with not only martial arts, but everything in my life. My teachers--and my students as well--have helped me get through these dark times. [under construction]