Black Belt -- White Cane

Black Belt -- White Cane

Future Reflections Fall 1992, Vol. 11 No. 4
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BLACK BELT—WHITE

CANE
by Jody

W. Ianuzzi

Reprinted

from the February, 1992, Braille Monitor, the monthly publication of

the National Federation of the Blind.

[PICTURE] Judy Ianuzzi wears her gi (judo uniform) and black belt with pride
A blind

woman is traveling alone down a dark, deserted street. There are some people

who might consider her helpless and vulnerable. I would like to change that

image. That blind woman just might be me on my way to teach my judo class.
As we all

know, the challenges of blindness can be overcome by learning alternative techniques,

but some situations can be a bit more challenging than others. As a child in

public school, I remember the schoolyard bully, who tested my vision by punching

me in the face. My gym teacher gave me a permanent waiver from class after years

of sitting on the sidelines while the rest of the class played a variety of

ball games.
Eventually

I found a solution to these challenges as well. Judo became my ultimate alternative

technique. When I first heard about judo classes, I was hesitant. Based on my

past experience, I didn't think the judo instructor would consider me as a student.

Happily, I was wrong! The instructor didn't care that I couldn't see. He was

more interested in what I could do, and I could do judo. I sincerely mean it

when I say that my life hasn't been the same since that day.
It is now

twenty years later. Life has come full circle. I am the instructor, and I am

recruiting blind and sighted members to my judo club. I want to give to my students

what judo has given to me.
Unlike

some other martial arts, judo needs no adaptation for blind players, who have

been active in judo for many years, practicing with sighted players on an equal

basis. For blind children judo can provide an opportunity to be just one of

the kids, both at practice and during club activities. This is as it should

be, because it benefits both the blind and sighted players and embodies the

philosophy of judo as well.
Judo is

a full contact form of self-defense that includes throwing techniques, pins,

chokes, and joint-locks. A basic principle of judo is that a small person can

throw a larger by using that person's motion to complete the throw. In this

way, if a person pushes you, you pull him or her into a throw.
The physical

benefits of judo practice include self-defense training, weight control, and

physical fitness. With regular practice there is a noticeable improvement in

balance, coordination, and orientation. Judo can be enjoyed by men and women

of all ages from small children to adults. It is a great way to get back into

shape and stay there while having a lot of fun, too. One enjoyable aspect of

judo is that it challenges the mind as well as the body. Other forms of exercise

can be boring, and it is easy to lose interest in them.
My students

and I have attended many tournaments and clinics, both large and small, and

we have never been excluded or shown any favoritism. I remember one tournament

we attended at West Point. One of the club instructors wanted to present my

student with the Best Player trophy, based on her blindness. The tournament

director's reaction was to say, "It's no big deal that she's blind; I'll

give her the Best Player trophy when she comes here and wins." She won

a lot more than a trophy that day. On the way home from the tournament she told

me that it was the first time in her life she felt like she was just one of

the kids. And for the first time I began to realize that I was giving back some

of what judo had given to me.
There is

a philosophical benefit to judo training. As you challenge yourself, you gain

a feeling of accomplishment that carries over to all aspects of life. The knowledge

that you can handle a physical conflict makes a verbal conflict much less threatening.

You will find that you develop a strength of mind to stand up for what you believe

in, but also a strength of mind that will allow you to step back when that is

the wise thing to do. You actually become less defensive and more relaxed. In

twenty years it has never been necessary for me to use judo for self-defense,

but I have used the strength of judo every day in all types of situations.
Part of

this strength comes from a feeling that you are in control. You carry this control

with you in confident body language, in the way you walk and communicate with

people. When you project confidence, you are less likely to be confronted.
The self-confidence

that can be gained from judo is very important to children. The blind child

who is frustrated by his or her limitations in mainstreamed gym classes or who

is segregated in classes for disabled students can feel less capable than classmates.

Judo gives the blind child the opportunity to participate in mainstreamed activity

on an equal basis with his or her peers. When the other kids are talking about

their sports and club activities, the blind child can join in with talk of personal

accomplishments. This equality is important to blind children, but it is also

very important to their sighted peers as well. The focus is on what you can

do, not on what you can't. It becomes less important that you can't play baseball

when there is something unique you can be proud of. "I can" is the

concept that becomes important.
Self-defense

is important to everyone nowadays, but as blind people we are perceived by some

as more vulnerable than others. Judo gives a balance to this misconception.

All of us should learn to defend ourselves, not just for our own benefit, but

as a means to change society's image of blindness.
Self-defense

can be as simple as being sure of who is at your door before you open it, or

as involved as defending your life. You should avoid shortcuts through less

traveled areas and stay in places where there is safety in numbers. Also avoid

walking next to buildings since doorways and alleys are places where someone

might hide. Stay in the center of the sidewalk so that you can be clear on all

sides. When I walk down the street, I try to identify the age, sex, number,

and location of the people around me. This is kind of a game, but it is also

a way of training yourself to be more aware of everything around you, so you

can anticipate a situation before it develops.
Judo classes

are usually taught in a club setting, which includes men, women, and children

of all ages. Judo is often a family activity. There are judo clubs all over

most states. Judo instructors usually teach at no charge. This might seem surprising,

but we enjoy judo, and we teach because we love it. Class fees are usually minimal

and include club dues, a uniform, and United States Judo Association membership.

The United States Judo Association has been very active in encouraging instructors

to recruit blind players, and the instructors are already familiar with the

benefits of judo to blind players.
As you

learn judo, your skills and attitude will develop. The school bully will be

less of a threat. You can walk down that deserted street and be a lot less vulnerable

than some might think. Those people who attempt to dominate you will not be

successful. The unsolicited helper who attempts to take you across the street

or the airline employee who attempts to load you into the wheelchair will both

be surprised to find that you are in control of the situation. Judo is a way

to even the odds and change what it means to be blind. I have made judo my ultimate

alternative technique, and I hope you will make it yours as well.
I hope

I have sparked an interest in you to learn judo. It can change your life as

it has changed mine. If you would like more information or if you would like

to locate a judo club near you, contact Larry Lee, Executive Director, United

States Judo Association, 19 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, Colorado 80909,

(719) 633-7750. He is waiting to hear from you!
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