"Molly Hale -- An Incredible Martial Artist Making a Difference"

Posted 2010-07-16 17:50:46 by Jun Akiyama
News URL: http://wwww.examiner.com/x-5948-SF-M...g-a-Difference

This article entitled "Molly Hale -- An Incredible Martial Artist Making a Difference" highlights Molly Hale of the San Francisco Bay Area. Molly suffered injuries due to a car accident in 1995 which doctors diagnosed would leave her "paralyzed from [the] shoulders down for life." Since then, she has been able to work through her injuries to take her aikido sandan test in 2001.

From the article: When I asked Molly to tell me about her Aikido, she replied, "I have been training in Aikido for 26 years, 11 on my feet and 15 from a wheelchair and [on the] floor…"

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An oft missed aspect of Aikido's value to society is the fact that we attract people of the highest quality. As so often is the case, we fail to recognize such quality until something unexpected, and often traumatic occurs to dramatically demonstrate such greatness.

Molly Hale is one of our very best ambassadors for Aiki, and for the Founder's marvelous creation, Aikido. Her courage, character and commitment to her ideals and principles have always been a beacon to her friends.

Her insistence about being upbeat about life and her new directions for growth simply serves to inspire us to get off our very own "pity pots", and to live our lives as fully as Molly lives hers.

Special recognition and heartfelt praise is also in order for her totally awesome soul mate, her husband Jeramy Hale. Where lesser men would have at least questioned their commitment to their vows, Jeramy likewise has proven to be a veritable tower of strength and example, not only for Molly, but for all of us who are privileged and honored to call him friend.

Together, this unique and amazing couple have done so much for Aikido's positive image, and will continue to do so for time indefinite.

Thank you, Jeramy and Molly, for your uncompromising friendship, and for your Shihan level leadership in all things Aiki!

How inspiring! Thanks for posting, Jun.

Thanks for sharing her inspiring story. Aikido certainly can and does change you in so many ways; as she so well demonstrates. May she continue to bless and inspire all of us.
Doc

Trained with her at the Expos.
Excellent technique.
Inspiring individual.

I took Molly's class at Aiki Expo at the request of my Aikido friend.
My friend had a stroke and is blind & deaf on one side.

He was intigued to see and learn from someone in a chair.

He was a beginner and I wasn't that much farther along in Aikido, and franklly didn't know what to expect.

Molly's class was one of the best experiences I have had in Aikido.
She was very personable and her Aikido was awesome.
My friend & I were very lucky to be able to learn from her unique perspective.

I was able to talk with her after the class and found her to be one of the most friendly, upbeat and inspiring people I have met.