Sel Defense for Persons with Physical Disabilities...?

Question

What martial arts would be good for a person with a physical disability to use for self defense?

Paralysis from waist down and in a manual wheelchair.

Answer 1

Could you be more specific about the physical disability? It's hard to answer without that info.

ADDITION: I would base your decision more on the instructor and their experience teaching people who use wheelchairs than the specific style. Call around to schools in your area and see what the schools have to offer you. Be sure to ask the instructor if he/she has any experience with this and/or if they feel comfortable with their ability to teach this.

Here's a website you might find interesting, it explains some self-defense moves from a wheelchair:
http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/get_articles.php?cat=Martial%20Arts%20and%20the%20Disabled

Another interesting article (it's kind of long, but makes some good suggestions for helping those with physical disabilities choose an art to study):
http://www.dctkd.org/library/papers/benefits-of-ma-for-disabled.cfm

Good luck!

Answer 2

San Soo Kung Fu
It has alot to offer you.
Contact me at [e-mail]
If you would like some assistance getting started in the right direction in a great art, and better yet Great Folks.
The San Soo style has alot to offer you in your spare time as well to build your confidence and senses. Conditioning and learning about your new strengths as well as your limitations will all come into play.
All the styles have alot to offer actually, just I understand the concept of San Soo.. It has helped me thru all my disabilities as I broke my neck back in 2001 and was in a wheelchair supposedly for life. Heck all the folks in my life left and quit on me fiquring I was a goner n e how. Welp I skate, workout, wrestle, snowboard, dive, snorkel, kayak and surf constantly. Just alot more lonely is all, but not in a wheelchair. I did this alone with San Soo, no help no physical therapy. I have fusion and metal plates in my neck, and am listed as 100% disabled, I have been told by many doctors I should not be doing much, heck I am always going....wahahahaha no way.
San Soo for Life.

Answer 3

Not an easy question to answer. Disabilities come in so many different ways. All I can honestly say from my experience in training with a young man for the last 3 yrs who has a medical condintion that requiers him to walk on special crutches. Without them he cannot stand on his own. When he is on ground he is a formidable grappler I must say. We've taught him varies controls,grabs, pressure points, etc. The thing I admire most is his WILL to get on the mat and give it his all regardless of his limitation. He is a great example of one someone who makes no excuses. I would check around to your local instructors and see if they have any type of experience in working with people with physical limitations. I refuse to call a person disable ever again after working with this young man. A person's disability is that which he sets on him himself. We all have our limits, He simply chose to discover what he CAN do and not leave it to speculation. And I didnt mention that we also work with a school for sight impared children during the summer in camp sessions. Its amazing the amount of confidence that builds when they train. Its very inspiring to watch and be part of. Best of luck to you.

Answer 4

I would say Kenpo. It has a large number of strikes and punches as well as alot of blocks-both open handed as well as close handed along with soft blocking and trapping techniques. It is a sytle that a person confined to a wheel chair and only has the use of their hands and arms could learn how to maximize and use if they had to defned themselves. There have been several articles on people that have persued that martial art for that reason in martial arts magazines for that very reason and I believe Ed Parker's system had such an individual earn his black belt and teach if I remember correctly.

Answer 5

Check out the World Wing Chung Kung Fu Federation associated with William Chung. Our school here in Delaware USA has a program for disabled students. I don't believe we are the only one. Look around and don't give up.
I may have the organization name messed up a little but Google should find it.

Answer 6

Kajukenbo
Aikido
Amerocan kenpo
Wing chun

Many styles have classes ortraining methods for those with physical challenges. Find a good teacher who is willing to work with you, and understands your limitations. That way they can customize training for you.

Answer 7

Check out Kenpo

Answer 8

"Iaido"would be perfect for you. It's basically Japanese swordsmanship. I've done a little iaido , but not much, my husband did it for some time. It has a beautiful flow to it, great for upper body strength. Just be careful not to cut your ears off !

You'd have to adapt bits of it, but I'm sure that you could make it work.Good luck with whatever you decide.

Answer 9

Buy a gun.