thinking of starting...health issues

[Bayushi]

sorry if anyone already read this in the FAQ area. FAQ looked more like website stuff.
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Hi all. just joined up to get som info...if i decide to continue you can expect to see me around a bit more.

I am looking at starting Kendo and perhaps even Iaido... problem is, I have a weak left leg due to extensive surgery as a child. I'd like to find out exactly how this might affect my participation in kendo. I have tried Aikido in the past but found all the rolling and flinging
legs about just too much for me.

I am planning on going to a Dojo this week to find some info but anything more would be great.

Looks like a great sport though and good fun to.


Hi to any members in Australia

Cheers

Bayushi

[tango]

I know a guy here in the States who is doing kendo and he had to have one of his legs AMPUTATED.

...he is getting back into kendo with the use of a prosthetic.

Maybe this will give you some idea of what can be accomplished in kendo.

Ah! There is also a guy in Hawaii who has NO LEGS whatsoever! I can't remember his name now, but I just thought about him. I think he might be a sandan or a yondan now.

So, I think your problem can be overcome.

[Mr.Tvola]

I know a guy here in the States who is doing kendo and he had to have one of his legs AMPUTATED.

...he is getting back into kendo with the use of a prosthetic.

Maybe this will give you some idea of what can be accomplished in kendo.

Ah! There is also a guy in Hawaii who has NO LEGS whatsoever! I can't remember his name now, but I just thought about him. I think he might be a sandan or a yondan now.

So, I think your problem can be overcome.

That might be Henry Smalls

[Bayushi]

Thanks guys


i've decided to give it a go..see how the legs holds up.

Amputated legs can sometimes be better that repaired ones...ie i have reduced movement which may hinder me a bit wheras an amputee can get a leg that in effect has better movement that a real leg in some cases.....

not that i'm saying amputees have got it easy, they don't. just different cases and condidtion mean different things have to be taken into account when participating in physical activities.
When i tried Aikido, I was looked down apon a bit because I can't kneel or sit cross-legged properly. Although I think that may have just been the Dojo I was at...but it was only one in the area.....I'm eternally hopefull that i will find kendo to be a martial art that i can effectively compete in.

well that is a bit more thatn i intended to write

thanks again guys


Bayushi

[Neil Gendzwill]

Make sure to let your instructors know of your condition. You don't have to kneel if you can't, and if your condition requires modification of technique they can help you. I might experiment with kamae if I were teaching you, depending on how well your leg does being back or forward. Being competitive is fun, but you don't have to be - plenty of us have fun and long kendo careers without ever getting serious about competition.

[Bayushi]

Make sure to let your instructors know of your condition. You don't have to kneel if you can't, and if your condition requires modification of technique they can help you. I might experiment with kamae if I were teaching you, depending on how well your leg does being back or forward. Being competitive is fun, but you don't have to be - plenty of us have fun and long kendo careers without ever getting serious about competition.


Thanks Neil,

main problem with my leg in lack of strength ( no spring, missing entire muscle group in thight.) and restricted flexibility...its almost normal just won't fold back like a normal knee.

A bit of good regular excercise( like Kendo) may just strengthen it a bit too

Anyway thanks and i'll post anything I find after Thursday...going to visit the dojo then...get some questions answered..

[Old Warrior]

My knees are shot, one having been torn to bits in a motorcycle accident and left to heal naturally. I wear 2 braces that don't allow me to sit in seiza. Our Dojang goes from 10 geup to 1 and then to dan. In a year I've managed to get to 4th geup, with a lot of practice. So, if I can perserve and get my 55 year old body to give it a go, I am sure there is a place for you. There are accomodations that are gladly made - as long as you are giving a good effort.

[Bayushi]

My knees are shot, one having been torn to bits in a motorcycle accident and left to heal naturally. I wear 2 braces that don't allow me to sit in seiza. Our Dojang goes from 10 geup to 1 and then to dan. In a year I've managed to get to 4th geup, with a lot of practice. So, if I can perserve and get my 55 year old body to give it a go, I am sure there is a place for you. There are accomodations that are gladly made - as long as you are giving a good effort.


Thanks for the encouragement.....you lot are a lot different from the Aikido dojo i had a go at.... (thankfully)

[tango]

Is Henry Smalls the guy in Hawaii with no legs?
I didn't know his name, but I've seen pictures of him and I saw a documentary on him a while back on some channel. It was just incredible.

The guy I personally know who had his leg amputated (blood clots caused it) and is trying to adapt his kendo to his new prosthetic, is Ken Strawn of the Charlotte (North Carolina) Kendo Club. (Here's a plug for their website: http://www.charlottekendo.com/ )..

Bayushi, yes, by all means, just tell your instructors what your situation is.

I hope you fall in love with kendo as all of us on this board have!

[Bayushi]

thanks....im going along for a look tomorrow night....looking forward to it.

cheers

Bayushi

[Bayushi]

Well i think i should be ok...lot of work needed building up some strength but it will be worth it.

The Sensei at the dojo was great and went over a lot of things with me after the practice.

Thanks to all you guys for you encouragement......No i just got to scrape some cash together for fees and equipment(not that i need them just yet)

cheers

Bayushi