My son started TKD a little over a month ago. As some of you know he has several neurological disorders that make processing actions and comprehension very difficult for him. It is almost impossible for the boy to move quickly, as it takes him longer to process/comprehend a directive than the average child. I have decided not to mention it to the instructors for a couple reasons.
I want Michael to have to work as hard as the other students, to have to start figuring things that are hard out for himself. I also figure these instructors are going to figure out pretty quick that Michael is going to take more time to learn something. And they have. Master Ha makes sure to spend extra time working with Mike and is encouraging when he tries hard. He has stated in the class that some people just cannot kick high (my son) and that the important thing is the focus and power.
This is a WTF organization but Master Ha stresses the martial aspects of TKD and has said TKD is 10% sport and 90% martial. He also does not hesitate to give Michael push-ups if he does not kia loud enough, or use enough power, or focus in his poomse.
Master Ha is there on Tuesday nights only, and the assistant instructor runs the Thursday night class. Last Tuesday was intense instruction on focus and power with Master Ha demonstrating high kicks and poomse but with poor focus and power, and then low kicks, and poomse with good focus and power. Michael struggles with focus and power because of his processing issues. For him to focus on one usually means the other area is lacking, because it is physically very difficult for him to incorporate both, until he has repeated an action so many times that he can work on the other aspect.
So, last night they had a kind of poomse competition between all the students. With all ranks competing together, not broken down by rank, for power and focus. My son is the only white belt. He worked so hard. Concentrating and trying to kia as loud as he could...and HE WON! Master Ha told him excellent job and applauded and shook his hand, and had the whole class applaud.
The nice thing about such a recognition is knowing that it's not handed out flippantly. Michael worked for it and was recognized for it. At the end of class when they were bowing out Master Ha asked the class why Michael got the championship for poomse that night. He had about 3 different kids come up and answer the question saying how Michael had worked hard, had power, showed improvement, focused, kia'd loudly, etc. Michael was just beaming.
I can't say enough how proud I am of him and how pleased I am with the instructors at this school. They take training seriously and have an obvious, genuine love for children. I feel blessed to have my son enrolled there.
I say Good Job Michael.
