Would you make a person who needed a Cane to walk perform a Kata in front of people..?

Question

knowing they cannot stand without it, telling them they before hand they did not have to do a physical test due to being disabled but had to show i knew all the mental aspects and could teach a class. I was failed because I was told I am not disabled though my Drs, Lawyers and SSDI say differently and I fell three times hurting my knee and back attempting to please them for my test.

Were they wrong to have made me do something they knew I could not possibly do physically and it landed me in the Hospital?

Would they not be held accountable for it? I too am a Nidan and was testing for Sandan and passed ALL the written, oral and other misc parts of the exam. i could not do the Katas physically and to make me was an insult, and it embarrased and humiliated me in front of everyone i could not stay up without my cane.

Am I wrong to be upset or is what they did despicable treatment of a disabled person who can barely walk?

Please tell me honestly what you think. Thanks!

Thank YOU all!!! i study shotokan traditional style. i was not handicapped when i became a Nidan. I had an accident and i was promised for this test i would only have to do a oral exam, written exam and asked bunkai on kata plus other questions. they have seen me do Enpi before. But because I messed the first five moves up because i could not keep my balance and fell over they failed me and stated it was for two reasons, ONE I could not stand and do a Kata and TWO they did not think i was giving it my all.

I WAS ON TWICE the medication I am prescribed just so I could try to handle this, i am on 3- 40mg Oxycontin a day plus 5-15 mg Oxycodone a day and i made it 5 and 7 of the day to stay out of pain.

i am on this the rest of my life. I was humilated and they still do not know i had to go to the hospital after and spent hours there much of it waiting to be seen and I have pulled ligaments in my knee now and pulled muscles in my back and a possible bluldge they cant tell yet!

I am in Vermont and have been with them for 18 years. This was an insult, disgrace and most of all embarrasing and humiliating to do to me in front of other NON black belts and when i asked my Health aide when she should come back they said dont leave please we need to talk to him first and did not allow me to get changed. (Yes I am a Man, this is my GFs account we train together). I was told so long as i passed all the written and oral and the bunkai and could teach a class then It was good. i did all that and aced it. They knew before i got there i failed and that is why they would not let me change or let my aide WHO WAS LATE NOW go. I am upset, the aide is upset and I wish to be tested by a real Shotokan Teacher based on my knowledge and ability as a disabled man.

How should i approach them? They put me in the hospital and dont even know it!!

Answer 1

Honestly!!

I use a Cane too and I think that is despicable & unhonorably to have done to you. If you are legally disabled and are prescribed that to walk they are Senseis NOT DR's and have NO right to tell you to not use it and embarrass you as they did.

I feel sorry for you this happened. IMO I know you say you are a Nidan still but do you really wish to stay with a school that will discriminate against your disability or find one that will adapt to it?

That my friend is the choice you need to make. I wish you the best of luck with it!!

Answer 2

I would have modified the katas so that you can do them with your cane.

It is ridiculous and insulting.

I have two students with disabilities and go out of my way for my lessons to fit their needs.

It would have been a rewarding experience to work with you to use your cane to support you when needed and use it effectively when needed.

I would have given an arm to be blessed with the opportunity to do something like that.

You are awesome. They are wrong. Tell them, then find someone who would be willing to help you.

Where are you located? Maybe you yourself can develop your art... take it to the next level. I would love to help. Anything I can do, just ask.

What art do you study?

18 years????

I made a point that addressed this on another post. I gave my complete loyalty and when I felt, as a teacher, that I could do certain things differently, and implemented a different method of conveying my art, because everyone is unique, I was embarrassed and humiliated.

I teach the art as I learned it, just my teaching method is more complete, as I proved with a couple of select students.

I am now happy teaching my way.

After 18 years, you should be at least Sandan. I know people who started training after me and they are 6th and 7th Dan. It's ridiculous.

I seriously feel you should write to your organization headquarters and explain what happened. Let your (hopefully 'EX') teacher know what you are going to do and follow through.

Tell them you want to begin to be recognized by them as you will not be returning... that is, if you have decided not to return.

I don't want to influence you but I feel only a small part of your pain, and that is enough for me to write a formal letter explaining your breaking ties with him. Go to his teacher.

18 years makes you a well experienced Karateka.

Find your true place, brother.

Answer 3

A "good" school "Adapts" to a student with limitations or special needs.
That is why there are students,"Good Ones" that pass test in a wheelchair.
A good school would have incorporated your cane into your test and / or made allowance for your disability on test day.