Poll: mentally disabled

[LeaF]

Another topic in this forum has got me thinking about this topic and I am curious to hear what people have to say. Please post in this thread and go into more detail why you believe the way you do. I will post my opinions after I hear some response.

[three60roundhouse]

[color=indigo]It all depends on how serious the case. For instance, my brother, a wrestler on his middle school team and a fellow high red belt in tae kwon do, is mildly autistic, which causes him to have a hard time taking reprimanding and he hates partner work, especially on the floor. He doesn't yell loud enough because he's generally a quiet person, and when he does talk it's usually out of place. Sometimes he doesn't understand that you are supposed to keep pushing and he slacks off a bit. He is the most difficult to motivate, but he is physically strong because while he doesn't love the classrom environment, he loves practicing on his own.....pushups and crunches especially...he could do those for hours.

 

I'm babbling....it depends on the severity of the handicap.[/color]

[G95champ]

Yes..... Here are my reasons why?

 

1. Each person must be judged on his or her own ability. If I can do Rocket science, If I can Bench 500lbs, if I can break 20 bricks, and if I have won dozens of fights that does not make me a blackblet. Each person must show their physical, mental, and emotional ability. IF we do not let him or her because this or that we might as well judge them by the color of their skin.

 

2. If a person is mean enough to hurt someone or should I say crazy enought to hurt someone wearing a blackbelt don't make him or her more crazy. When stuff upstairs snaps it don't matter what you know. If nothing else the training they had should help them control their actions.

 

3. If a 5 year old kid can wear a blackbelt any one with a low IQ can too IMO. Blackbelts are given way to freely today. IMO......

[LeaF]

Personally I am all for letting them get black belts. I would not even judge it on the severity of the situation. We have a guy in our club that has down syndrome. He has been around for like 8 years ad worked is way to black belt. I truely believe he does the best he can. He has respect for the people around him and trys hard although it is impossible for him to do somethings(when the situation arises he supervises ). I don't see any way he could be held back for something that is not his fault at all. He cannot be blamed for his situation so we should not have any predjudice against him.

IF we do not let him or her because this or that we might as well judge them by the color of their skin.

 

couldn't have said it better myself

[Pacificshore]

Anyone who chooses to take up the martial arts and has any disabilities, whether physical or mental should be able to earn their BB just like anyone else. They may not be able able to perform all the physical aspect of training, however if they stick to their training, have heart, and understand the basic underlining principles of their training, then I say they've earned their status as a BB.

[shuriken_girl]

If they meet the requirements of being a black belt, what would any type of mental disability matter?

[Bon]

::edit:: Edited September 29, 2002 by Bon

[G95champ]

Bon what are you saying? Lost me on that one ole buddy.....

 

This should not be a mercy gift but if he or she works as hard as the can and does everything asked of them they deserve to wear one as much as the next guy.

[The_Yak]

Black belts should not be awarded on how the person ranks against themselves! A black belt should be awarded when that person meets physical, mental, and any other requirements set by the school. Ya'll sound like a bunch of little league parents that think thier kid deserves to play the whole game even though he's the worst one on the team. If your school awarded a black belt to a student who you far surpassed in skill level when you are a lower belt how would that make you feel? How about when they give away belts because the students been there X amount of years even though they don't deserve it? Doesn't that cheapen your belt? But that's just my opinion.

[The_Yak]

oh and I voted "NO"