Monday, February 24, 2014

No Matter What...Don't Stop!






Most of you know I work at a martial arts training facility. Some of you know I'm a Certified TaeKwonDo Instructor and Fourth Degree Black Belt. But almost no one knows the challenging path it took to get me where I am today.

I like this picture. I like it because it reminds me that anything is possible if you are willing to give it your best. To be flexible in the face of adversity. To step into the wind despite the fear of failure. To know if you just keep plugging away at the goals nearest and dearest to your heart, then one day you WILL see them realized.

I began my martial arts journey thirteen years ago. Nothing terrified me more than believing in the possibility I could do what I saw the others in my son's class do with seemingly apparent ease. At my doctor's insistence I decided one day to jump in with both feet and prepaid for a blackbelt program. There was no turning back.

By the end of week one I broke my little toe attempting a spin crescent kick and my workouts were painful while it healed. 

I didn't stop.

I wore full braces on both forearms for my carpal tunnel (an affliction I had suffered from for over ten years before starting my training) and pushups caused me great pain for the first couple of months until I was able to do away with the braces completely. 

I didn't stop.

At six months I was crippled by pain in my lower back and thinking I had pulled some muscles, I went to the doctor. I was diagnosed with inoperable degenerative disc disease and told within two to three years I would be in a wheelchair. The specialist said I would be in tremendous pain continuing to train in martial arts but it might keep me on my feet longer.

I didn't stop.

At every testing for the next two years I would throw up before I stepped in front of the judge's table. Forever questioning my right to wear that next belt, I would fight my demons and eventually sail through each testing with flying colors.

I didn't stop.

When I was asked to join the instructor team, I thought my chief instructor mad. Who was I to be able to teach others this beautiful art? My own self-doubt and physical limitations made me feel less than deserving when I passed my certification testing and others started calling me an instructor.

I didn't stop.

Four and a half years ago I was getting ready for my latest testing and was practicing my required board breaks with I felt something happen to my leg. Three days later I was enduring the first of many hospital visits due to dangerous blood clots. My world seemed to be falling apart and it wasn't until six months later I was diagnosed with a very rare blood condition. I was told to quit training in TaeKwonDo immediately because the slightest contact during sparring COULD KILL ME.

I didn't stop.

It took me two years to return to the mats...two years of tears and pain and heartache over the loss of something precious to me. I stood on the sidelines as others trained. I stood in the shadows as others tested. I was still able to teach in a limited capacity and learned the true meaning of persistence as slowly, day by painful day, I returned to my training. It was hard to let go of the person I was before the blood clots. I now live with a permanently damaged leg and fragile back that remind me every day of the precarious tightrope I walk in order to share my love of the martial arts with my students. And in October of 2011 I tested for my Fourth Degree Black Belt...throwing up beforehand as usual and fighting my internal demons...and passing.

I didn't stop.

Today I have another goal in front of me. October 2nd, 2015 I go for Master Fifth Degree Black Belt. 

MASTER of TaeKwonDo.

Training is very hard for me these days. It hurts. A lot. Every day. And there are two extremely difficult moves in my current form I simply can't do. Will I be able to do them when the time comes to perform them at testing? I don't know but I won't worry about that right now. I will simply remember how far I have come and the accomplishments I have achieved so far. I'm still on my feet despite the doctor's dire warnings. I endure a few punches and kicks each time I spar and I'm still kicking back. And despite the fact I don't think I will EVER feel like I truly deserve my rank, I know my story can inspire others to never give up trying to achieve THEIR goals, whatever they may be.

I have a mother of one of my students who came to me last week and asked me if I thought she could learn the martial arts. She thought she was too old, too uncoordinated, too overweight, too timid to try. Know what I told her? Just give it your best...

And don't stop.






12 comments:

  1. Tenacious. That's what you are, Donna. I admire your persistence through the hardships and pain. Wow. You are one tough cookie! I wish you well on your 5th degree black belt. Your 1st black belt is impressive enough. You kick butt!

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    1. Hi Romelle! LOL, your comment made me smile. I have never seen myself as "one tough cookie" but I DO tend to have a pretty stubborn streak when someone tries to tell me I CAN'T do something I really want to do...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  2. Wow, Donna, I never knew! You are an amazing person. Go for that 5th Degree Black Belt. Don't stop. And, go for your dreams in children's publishing. Don't stop!!

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    1. Hi Christine! Thanks for your kind words. I think maybe I need to make me a sign saying that as a reminder...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  3. Your story is the stuff of legends.
    Seriously.
    WOW!
    If that isn't inspirational, I don't know what is. Thank you for sharing this with us :-)

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    1. Lol, Angela...the stuff of legends? I don't think so but I thank you and I'm so happy my story seemed to inspire you...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  4. Great advice to the mom who wants to start learning - and to all of us overcoming obstacles. You walk the walk, Donna. That's why we all can learn from you.

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    1. Hi Genevieve! Thanks for your kind words. The mom will start this Thursday...that's one of MY teaching days and she thought she would feel more comfortable starting out with me. She will do fine as long as she is patient with herself. I've taught people as old as 67 and as young as 4...almost anyone can do this if they really want to...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  5. ONE TOUGH COOKIE. (with a marshmallow center). I won't tell if YOU won't.

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    1. Hi Janet! You've seen me at my worst and you've seen me at my best. You are able to keep a secret and know what I will do to you if you don't! Lol...;~)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  6. Wow, Donna that is tenacious indeed. That is an amazing commitment! I'm afraid I quit shortly after going to Uni. I went back to it briefly after 16 yrs but I missed my club. You are amazing!

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    1. Hi Catherine! You can always go back and make new friends, climb new mountains...;-)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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