 Steve thinks so. He has been on crutches since polio disabled his legs at age four. Refusing surrender to the implied limitations Steve has spent a life time pursuing the full range of experiences in life, including Danzan Ryu Jujitsu in which Steve has attained the rank of Ikkyu, 1st degree brown belt. He currently is training in Kung Fu. In his own words here is his encouragement for you to explore the possibility of martial arts in your life: "When I first walked into the Honshin Kan dojo in March of 1995 I wasn’t planning on joining the classes. I just wanted to see what they did there. Actually, when I sat down and watched the students throwing each other to the ground I was doubtful if I would be able to learn Jujitsu while walking with leg braces and crutches. But then something remarkable happened: Sensei Jeff Penner came up to me and after introducing himself, told me that it “would be an honor” to teach me, someone on crutches, how to do techniques that he had learned without crutches. As he spoke on about the benefits of studying Jujitsu I looked back at the students throwing each other to the ground with remarkable grace, and thought to myself, “wouldn’t that be an adventure,” and turned my attention back to Sensei Penner who continued to explain to how much “fun” he would have teaching me. His enthusiasm was contagious. I accepted his offer and signed up that night. From that moment to now, learning Jujitsu, and later, training in Kung Fu has added tremendous peace to my life, while also creating a very strong and limber body. I am 54 now, and yet I am stronger, more flexible than I have ever been in my adult life. Every time I go to class and train I can’t help but notice how much peace flows through me, even in my most stressful moments. Who would have thought that the practice of martial arts would create so much good in my life."
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