The Gifted Warriors

BOILING SPRINGS -- Mike Darcy is an imposing figure at 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds. He's a former petty officer second class in the U.S. Navy who considers himself a guarded man.

That's every day, except for Friday evenings between 5 and 7 o'clock.

For nearly a year, Darcy, 46, has taught karate to kids with special needs. Twenty-five kids are taking his classes. Some are diagnosed with autism and Down syndrome; once he even had a student in a wheelchair.

The kids' parents have seen them show more self-confidence and improved coordination. And sometimes, Darcy sees them try something for the first time.

Friday "is the best day of the week," Darcy said.

Darcy's younger sister, Tammy, 36, is diagnosed with Down syndrome. She's a black belt and has lost 100 pounds since she started taking karate six years ago.

She often wins against what Darcy calls "normal people" when sparring.

Growing up, Darcy took karate lessons. Later, he encouraged Tammy, who took lessons at Spartanburg Martial Arts Academy. That led him to teach others with special needs.

Tammy has been receiving martial arts instructions from the Spartanburg Martial Arts Academy's Boiling Springs studio and Darcy talked to the academy's owners about a class for children with special needs. They agreed to let him lead it.

They began with three students from families Darcy knew. They post fliers about the classes at doctors' offices and outside stores. Tammy also has performed demonstrations at events to attract students.

Families are charged $5 per child, a discount Darcy said is needed for families because of the expenses associated with special-needs children.

Danny Gosnell and his son Adam Gosnell, 13, saw Tammy in a demonstration at Boiling Springs First Baptist Church. Danny Gosnell thought the class would be a good way for Adam to socialize and get some physical activity. It took him a few months, but Adam decided to give it a try, and now he's benefiting.

"Adam has improved his stamina and coordination and most of all his confidence," his dad said. "He's willing to participate and engage rather than say, 'I don't want to and I can't.' "

Dana Simmons' daughter, Katelyn, 10, is also showing improvement. Katelyn is diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, a milder form of autism. Simmons said Katelyn had coordination problems and was reluctant to participate in physical education at school until she took karate for a few months.

"She'll lay out her uniform before school and wants to bring friends," said Simmons said of her daughter. "Nothing can replace that look in her eyes."

The students earn belts and learn self-defense tactics. They're not allowed to spar with each other and many times they'll do exercises aimed at improving their flexibility and coordination that you might not see in other martial arts classes. There's a 45-minute class for kids 9 and older and a 45-minute class for kids 4 to 9.

Jason Coggins, 16, is easily distracted and meets one-on-one with Darcy. Coggins, who is diagnosed with autism, will sometimes do sit-ups or catch a ball or reach for it to improve his ability to grip. He also gets a chance to walk and jog laps around the room. He's considered nonverbal, but has expanded his vocabulary to "bye-bye," "ball" and "Mike."

Marcia Gibson, Coggins' caretaker, said he hadn't gotten any form of physical therapy in three years and that she can see a difference.

"He stays still longer and is more in control," Gibson said.

Simmons and Gosnell like Darcy's teaching style.

"Mike understands because of his sister," Gosnell said.

Darcy has 10 volunteer instructors, including Tammy and his 15-year-old daughter Alisha. When he steps outside for a couple of minutes, an instructor will usually come and get him when a student stops participating or starts misbehaving. He'll come in and will talk the student about what they should be doing. He uses a serious tone of voice with them and follows them around the room.

"They would rather do anything than disappoint Mike," said Carol Smith, who has a niece participating in classes and a grandson helping Darcy teach.

"He understands they need to be pushed, but understands that you have to respect their disability," Simmons said.

Darcy said he gets just as much from the kids he calls "Gifted Warriors."

Darcy and some his students were going to participate in a Christmas parade when he learned that his best friend of more than 20 years died from a heart attack. He didn't feel like participating in the parade, but one of the students came over to speak to him with a smile on her face and it made him feel better.

"I said, 'Marisa, you're my miracle,' " he said. "You made my pain go away, even though it's temporary because I still have the funeral."
http://www.myspace.com/gifted_warriors

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• spartanburg
• martial
• arts
• gifted
• warriors
• special
• needs
• karate
• down
• syndrome
• seizure
• disorder
• autism
• arthrogryposis
• cp

[superdork23]

Who sings this song?

and this video is sooo emotinal Im glad someone is SO Amazing and would do this.

[brokenbysin29]

Janelle ~ Amazing

[hibeecox]

There really are some truly amazing people in this world. Great work.

[fenrir1701]

dont teach them martial arts! they are already freakishly strong now they have the skills to take over the world...

[MrVictorRong]

I would bow in respect to any of your students. Keep up the great work.

[karatekidfu]

As a martial artist, I have never seen any fellow martial artist with as much heart as your students. I bow to you in great respect. Osu!

[chooechooe]

enuff wit de narutoe shet

[shilohkin6]

what martial art

[WIGGLE33]

This program has been going strong for about 3 years!! Thanks to Coach Mike and All the coaches who volunteer!! My son has grown so much, and physically improved by leap and bounds(literally)!! All I can say is "RESPECT!!!!"!

[videolver2]

do you have kids who have arthritis?

[sasuke74387]

i went to spartanburg martial arts thats where it took palce 1:10 i can use staff too..... i only got to orange belt then i started taking mui-tai and aikido. nice vid 5/5

[daltonsbadboy]

This video brought a tear to me eye....very touching. Keep up the good work