Ideas Teaching Aikido for Disabled ?

I recently have been challenged to find good techniques to begin teaching a gentleman who suffered a double leg amputation. I was initally uncertain what do to, but then asked myself, "What would O-sensei do?" The answer was straightforward -- Teach him aikido. The only question then was what to start with. So off we go.

He came to us wanting to learn to fall better (for obvious reasons). We have been working on that, and making modifications to ukemi, (initally without prosthetics, and from suwari). I have to keep reminding his training partners not to shirk the techniques or ukemi just because he is not standing up.

A few hanmi-handachi examples on the hesitant seemed to set this aright.

I felt that he could not learn the falls without learning the throws as well. I have also tried to begin nage technique with various techniques from a feet-planted position (as I would not for the more fully-legged aikidoka) and adapting them for a beginner in suwari. We are starting without prosthetics on the adapted nage-techiniques as well.

Any brilliant suggestions or insights for this novel adventure??

Cordially,
Erick Mead

Really stress hip movements and whole body movements. Our students with both legs can sometimes cheat by using legs or just using the top half of the torso (muscle through it).

I would teach basic rolls and falls first. I would then ask him/her what they want to get out of the class. Depending on the answer I would stay on the path you have started or (if they want good self defense they might have to use) have them stand and do the techniques (or however they ambulate). Key is learning how to modify (remember use of whole body here) techniques to fit how they can or can't move.

We have had at least two handicapped students and this approach has worked well with both of them.

No direct ideas

i guess you already looked for older similar threads in this forum and I recall that Molly Hale held some aikido demonstrations (classes?) on last year's aiki expo in a wheel chair, probably www.mollyhale.com or www.aikido-west.org can help a little bit further.

Regards Dirk

Erick Mead wrote: Any brilliant suggestions or insights for this novel adventure??

IMHO, do a search and contact Sensei Molly Hale. She does brilliant Aikido out of a wheelchair.

Trained with her at the Expo. We had to do everything from a chair.

I have been working with a student for about 8 weeks now who had a single leg amputated at the knee, plus he's about 65. I think he's doing remarkably well.

I beleive his prosthetic is a little out-dated and he could do better with some newer technology, but I don't think he will be getting it.

I am just trying to get to know his limitations and little by little figuring out what he can and can not do.

He does not think he can take ukemi at all, so I'm not pushing it.
I just demonstrate things and he tells he if he can or can't try it.

He does have some problems with balance and pivitong because he can't seem to stay off the heel of the prosthetic leg.

It's difficult to work with him and time consuming but well worth it. He's become a good friend and an inspiration.

Hi to you all,

I had a student who trained with me who could not speak and was deaf, and had poor eye sight, she trained with me for a number of months and only stopped because she moved away from the area.

The only advice I would give is "keep up the good work"no matter what they don't pick up or cant perform in Aikido technique the lesson you are teaching is more important, that is one of tolerance and respect, with a little love thrown in for good measure.

Perry

Lynn Seiser wrote: IMHO, do a search and contact Sensei Molly Hale. She does brilliant Aikido out of a wheelchair. Trained with her at the Expo. We had to do everything from a chair.

I took this advice. Thank you.
Even if you are not teaching handicapped people, this is an inspring story at www.mollyhale.com

My classes have now expanded to include the startup of a wheelchair Aikido program at a rehab center where I have been teaching adapted TaiChi. It will be an interesting challenge.

Another good method of learning how to do aikido or teach aikido to disabled is to pair up with a disabled person at a seminar, ask the sensei for help, and then watch and listen very carefully. You perhaps won't learn a whole lot, but as each little thing sticks with you, you learn gradually.