Richard Eunice, former police officer and trainer who taught at the college level on security issues, is an expert on self-defense for the disabled and is the founder and President of the National Handicapable Martial Arts Association headquartered in Lancaster, South Carolina agrees that there is a lack of good information out there for disabled people in the area of self-defense. I told Richard I had been getting email from my readers, asking for information on self-defense for people with limited mobility. Richard wasn't surprised to hear that most people who contacted me are confined to a wheelchair and don't go out unless they have a friend or family member with them, because they feel so vulnerable.

Richard agreed that people in wheelchairs...alone, are considered to be the perfect target for some criminal elements. "We are seen as 'easy pickings', 'sitting ducks' so they are right to be careful," said Richard. "But, while it is good to be cautious, we actually have more advantages, in some respects, than a person on two legs."

Thirty years ago Richard had a dream, he started training in karate and set his goal to attain the rank of black belt. A degenerative connective tissue disease put an end to his training. His doctors advised him not to train due to the nature of his illness. Forced into early retirement and coping with a disease that affected his mobility as it gradually progressed, Richard's dream of becoming a black belt faded.

Richard has had many operations on his legs and shoulder which left him with the inability to raise his right arm above shoulder level. He now depends on his wheelchair to get around. While watching his son practise Twa Kwon Do one day, he realized his dream of becoming a black belt hadn't died. He decided to see if he could train again.  Richard went to enroll in a karate class, "I was surprised that no one wanted to teach me. I started calling around and as soon as I mentioned the word 'wheelchair' the answer was 'sorry, we can't help you.'"  Some people would have accepted that and given up, not Richard Eunice! He expanded his search many miles away from his home.

When asked why response from instructors was so negative, Richard said, "Well, they have to adapt their training methods in some respects to accommodate me. Because I have limited mobility there are certain things I am physically unable to do and alternative moves have to be adapted. It does require a bit of extra time on the part of the instructor and I guess most of them don't want to be bothered."

When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. The ancient saying proved true when Richard contacted Kyoshi James White, chief instructor and owner of Universal Karate Studios in Lancaster, South Carolina. White, a seventh degree black belt, has worked with other handicapped people but none as dedicated as Richard. With no hesitation, he invited Richard to come and train with him. Richard credits Kyoshi James White and Jack Hatfield of RocSoft Computers for helping him reach his goal of the black belt.

"I would not be where I am today if it were not for these two people," Richard told me. Jack Hatfield has taken his computer business from a one-room, one-man business to a thriving company, providing employment for many others, but he didn't wait until he was 'the boss' to sponsor Richard. No questions asked, he agreed readily and has enabled Richard's participation in high level karate competition. Richard has done his sponsor and his teacher proud with consistent wins at both the national and international level.

I asked Richard how wheelchair-bound people might defend themselves. By the time he finished telling me I was thinking I should get myself a wheelchair! I think the wheelchair set have more advantages when it comes to fending off and actually incapacitating an assailant. Then, of course, there is that fast-wheeled getaway! :)

Wheelchair Self-defense Tips

Keep in mind that the main goal in any self defense situation is to get away from your attacker as quickly as possible. Here are a few ideas for distracting or disabling your assailant.

1. Be aware of your surroundings. When sitting in your chair in public places like airports or other large areas, try to sit with your back to a wall. This will give you a clear view of anyone coming toward you and you won't get attacked from behind.

2. Develop an aggressive attitude. Just because you are in a wheelchair criminals think you are an easy target. If you look alert and aware you may discourage an attacker. If not, be prepared to use reasonable force to defend yourself. Think about it beforehand, are you willing to physically injure someone to create an opening so you can get away from this person?

3. Use the attackers own force against him/her. When you are seated in a wheelchair any opponent will tower over you in their standing position. In order for them to attack you, they have to lean over. When the attacker is in a bent over position, grabbing you or your clothing, he is off his center of gravity.  It won't take much for you to grab hold of his hair or clothing and take a quick push backward. This will cause him to fall forward and while doing so it is likely that he will let go of you to protect himself from falling. Get yourself out of there FAST!
 

With limited physical mobility, is it possible to use the chair as a weapon? Richard suggests it is.

"Using the wheelchair as a weapon depends largely on how fast you can turn the chair. My chair is built for sports, which means I can turn very quickly. The biggest weapon on the chair is the footrest. Raking this down the shins is very painful and will discourage most attackers."

"Another way is to slam the footrest down on the instep which can break bones if done right. Attacks from the rear can be discouraged by pushing the chair back hard and fast. The handles often are just about groin high. This does not mean your problems are over. It means you have discouraged him but he may not quit."

Ouch! That sounds painful, I'm sure it would be effective. Once you have the attacker on the defensive, I would think some commonsense 'rules' would apply here: GET AWAY FAST. MAKE LOTS OF NOISE to attract the attention of other people.

Shouting FIRE is more effective than yelling HELP. People will respond or come and see where the fire is because they may be affected.

Just the fact that someone else is on the scene may be enough to send the attacker running, he doesn't want to take on TWO of you.  Unfortunately, many won't get involved when they hear someone shout 'help', they are afraid or don't want to get into a long legal thing so will avoid you instead of coming to your aid. Even if no one comes, the attacker may leave because he thinks someone may be coming or may have called the police after hearing your cries.

Now I wouldn't advise that you roll out there looking for trouble just to see if these techniques work, but do practise the techniques at home and give some thought as to how you can adjust your mindset. Remember - look confident and be prepared to actually inflict damage on any attacker who would be unlucky enough to pick on you. :)

Copyright 2002 JB Justice A variation of this article appeared in July of 1999 in Judy's column, Women's Self Defense at Suite 101.com.

Author: Judy Justice is a black belt in the Shotokan style of karate. She is a freelance writer and a member of the Police Writer's Association. Judy provides communication services through her consulting business, Creative Purrsuits. http://www.creativepurrsuits.com/
 

Editors Note: Reach Out would like to thank Judy Justice for this great article. This in another truly inspirational story. It shows what we can accompish when we focus our energy on our ABILITIES, not our disABILITIES.