Karate Kids My Life

When you think of martial arts training, you'd not associate that

with disabled children.

Sanjuro Martial Arts Group has been working on a special needs version

for the past three years. It was created by Sanjuro Master Glenn,

who has been working in martial arts for over 30 years.

The new children at the Vale School

are about to experience it for the first time.

-Explain to me what Sanjuro class is.

-Sanjuro means kicking

and punching. You punch and then you...

..you hear the music and do this.

Once you learn these movements and techniques,

they are so powerful that you never have to use them.

Francis and Tim are best friends,

but unlike most friendships, Francis, 12, does all the talking.

Tim has been unable to talk since he was born.

-Were you not a bit scared that Tim couldn't talk?

-No.

-Why not?

Cos he's a human being

so it doesn't matter if he can't talk or not.

Francis and Tim go to a school where everyone is disabled.

Twice a week they do martial arts called Sanjuro.

Has the Sanjuro changed you, Tim?

Has it?

Yeah.

-How do you know that's a yes?

-Cos he moved, he nodded.

Many children here have trouble walking, others barely move at all

and have been told they will not gain much movement.

However, already the Sanjuro is breaking new ground here.

But for some of the children in wheelchairs, it is a long struggle

with maybe few lasting results.

It's not the things that you can do in Sanjuro class that counts.

It's the things that you try to do.

'I hope that I can find some way

'to present the information and the teaching in a way

'that helps them push themselves.'

-This one. Come on.

-For pupils like 12-year-old Tim,

it takes all of his concentration to get even the smallest of results.

Excellent! Fantastic. That was great knee raises.

You're getting your knees up higher. Fantastic!

Tim was born with cerebral palsy due to lack of oxygen to the brain.

In Tim's case, it means using a wheelchair to get around

and a communication book.

He also has very little control of his movements,

something the Sanjuro master is fully aware of.

Even if it's just moving

one finger for Tim or lifting an arm or lifting his knees up,

that's enough for me.

The effort required to move that one finger or to lift that knee

is so much more than for anybody else to do anything else.

That's a massive achievement.

As well as being best friends,

Francis and Tim are known as the classroom jokers.

They always sit together and it's, "Francis, Tim, what are you doing?"

They're always best friends.

-Some people call us the Double Trouble.

-Why do they call you that?

Cos...

I don't know, really, but they call us that.

Some people might feel worried having a friend who can't talk back,

but not Francis.

Is it hard having conversations? You have to do a lot of the work.

But we find it funny sometimes when I'm struggling.

Francis uses a book of symbols and pictures to communicate with Tim.

People?

People.

Mummy.

Mummy? Mummy. She's come back, isn't it?

From Canada.

You want me to say it?

His mum came back from Canada yesterday.

Daddy? Daddy's been looking after you? Yeah.

For Tim, school is a big part of his life and he doesn't like to miss it.

When Tim first started school, he started crying at seven o'clock.

And then I woke up and asked him why he was crying

and looking out the window. He thought he went on Saturday.

When I told him, "No school today," he just went back to sleep.

Remember? The first week of school.

At home, Tim might need help with every physical part of his life,

but his brain works the same as any 12-year-old.

Mornings involve a crane-like mechanism to get to his chair.

He's so big, Mum cannot risk lifting him on her own,

so they've had their house adapted to fit Tim's special needs.

OK? So we'll get ready...

..to go to...

..watch some TV.

Do you want to see it from here?

No? OK.

This room can be used as part of the living room as well.

Tim always likes to watch TV here.

-OK. I can turn the TV on.

-Tim is starting to get a voice of his own

by using the Electronic Liberator machine.

It's like a keyboard and the mouse controls are in Tim's headrest.

He moves his head from side to side to operate it.

-Sanjuro has helped Tim better control the computer.

-It's tiring.

So the school are finding a new way

to make the sensor easier for Tim.

Tim's confidence is growing, too.

He wants to stand for Student Council and has an election address.

COMPUTER: 'I am Tim.

'I'd like to be part of the Student Council because I am a happy person

'and a good listener to help people.

'I would also try to look for ways of solving problems

'with the help of other members.

'I hope to be given this opportunity so I can prove myself

'and help my friends at school.'

I think that interests him

and makes him want to be part of the election.

People can sometimes be uncaring. Francis knows what this is like.

My disability is cerebral palsy.

-And what does that mean?

-It means that I can't walk

so I have to use a walker to walk.

But I find it easy

to do everything

since I came to this school.

Francis, like many children, has suffered from bullying in the past.

When I was younger,

there was this guy in the park.

And he took my sticks

and...

..because I didn't have my walker, it was at school,

so I couldn't walk to go and get my sticks from him.

And he was swearing at my mum.

But since then I've been OK.

Being disabled means you can be bullied or ignored by others.

It doesn't mean you never go out, but getting there can be a struggle.

The care Tim gets from his mum is not what he gets on the street.

Bye-bye, Tim! OK?

I need to ask them to put down the ramp.

Typical.

-What happened? You asked him...?

-I asked him to put the ramp down.

It happens a lot of times.

Life can be tough for children with disabilities,

but the Vale School has a range of classes to develop every child.

Hello. My name is Henry.

Change! One, two,

three, four!

One, two, three, four!

One, two...

This one now, Tim.

One, two,

three, four! Hands under! That's good, Tim! Go, go!

Encourage him!

Come on, Tim! Come on! Go, go, go!

-THEY CHANT HIS NAME

-Come on, Tim!

Up, up, up!

'Tim, did you enjoy the Sanjuro session?'

I'll take that smile as a yes!

Do you like school, Tim? Yes?

< Yes. Always yes.

When Tim doesn't have his book or computer, he uses his hands to talk.

Is that OK? Yes or no? No? Something's wrong?

Your trousers? Yes or no?

Yes? Your trousers.

Tim might have difficulty controlling his arms,

but he is as intelligent as you or I.

Do you have any worries about being on TV?

(Yes? No?)

Yes?

Yes.

-Are you worried what people will think?

-Yes? No?

No? No.

The Vale is a mixed school, with an age range from 2 to 16 years.

There are 80 pupils here from different countries and backgrounds.

The school has won awards

and is consistently rated as outstanding during inspections.

Back fist.

Hook.

-Front punch. Can we hear you?

-Front punch!

The school encourages the children to confront their problems.

Sanjuro builds their confidence. Tim and Francis are not the only ones.

My name is Suleyman.

Er...I'm 12 years old.

And I'm a student in the Vale school.

Hello!

'People used to tell me,'

"Why do you have this disability? What's wrong with your legs?

"Why can't you run properly?"

I used to say, "Mind your own business.

"It's my disability, so... It's not you."

When I'm walking with my friends to the shops,

and they look at me,

I just don't look at them. I ignore them.

When they say why can't I walk,

I say I don't know why I can't walk.

When somebody tells me about my disability,

I have to say that it's my disability and I'm special

because I am, really.

I feel like I'm special because I'm in this school.

If I didn't have this disability, it would be all different.

Imagine.

I can't even imagine it, being with other kids that I don't know.

The school may appear different to many, but the lessons are familiar.

Good morning, Hassan.

Good morning, everyone.

Recap the story so far. This is our story stick. Yeah?

Whoever has this tells the next part of the story.

-Who'll start from the beginning?

-From the beginning?

The lessons I'm going to do is maths, news group

and at 11 it's break time.

So we go all for a break and I'll go football.

BELL RINGS

For Suleyman, Sanjuro has had a positive impact on his life.

I started Sanjuro.

In my first lesson, we just worked on punching.

Then the second lesson,

we just worked on kicking and stuff, just to build up movement and stuff.

The class caters for all abilities.

Suleyman has already benefited from Sanjuro.

'Suleyman's doing very well.'

I'd just like him to continue. He understands what we're trying to do.

He understands it's not about fighting, it's self-development.

For Suleyman, it's not just his physical state he hopes to improve.

-He also wants better control of his temper.

-Sometimes...

I feel, like, angry.

And I just keep it on my, you know, inside.

I think Sanjuro helps me get, like,

to do something I don't know.

Like, I didn't know I had that skill before,

but it just comes through your head.

And you just learn, practise. Practice makes perfect.

That's what I say.

That's better than mine!

'I was...'

normal, a bit normal, and had an anger.

Now I can control my anger, really.

Normally you see me telling Glenn, "I'm going to beat you up,"

but I don't want to hurt them!

Hey, be careful!

'About the anger,'

I'm now OK. I feel all right.

Push! One! Back. Two!

Hup, one! Hup, two! Hup...

Focus! One, hup! Two, hup!

One, hup! Two, hup! One, hup! Two, hup!

Sanjuro not only builds physical skills, but their confidence, too.

Come on! Yeah!

Up, up, up, up! Yeah!

Let's go!

The friendships they are creating here give them the strength

to achieve goals they never imagined possible.

'My school is like my home,'

but a bit different. I have new brother and sisters.

I treat them as my brother.

You really understand what it means to be a martial artist.

It's all about what you can do. It's not the things you can do,

it's the things you try to do. You all try some incredible things.

As I say, I've been inspired as a martial artist training with you.

You show me what can be achieved.

-Come on, Tim!

-Come, on, Tim!

When Tim started Sanjuro, he had very little control of his arms.

He is now making great progress and is an example to the rest.

Yeah!

You've got him! Go, go!

'Actually, he can do it if he wants to.'

You just have to believe it, maybe.

He can move both arms now, which he couldn't do that well when we met.

And today we saw he can move both knees as well.

'And also he's a lot more confident.

'He looks me in the eye now when he's training. His focus is better.

'And he just seems a lot happier. If he's happy, then I'm happy.'

'I like Tim a lot. I tell you, he's fun.'

In Chinese... What is it, Chinese or Japanese?

There's a word called sibu. You know what that means? Master.

I think he's going to be... You know those wheelchair instructors?

He's going to be one of them that instructs Sanjuro, really.

Maybe. Maybe we'll open a business together!

Tim has inspired the others, none more than his best friend, Francis,

who has written a letter of support for an award for Tim.

"Tim and I are best friends.

"I will always run to Tim.

"To him.

"I go to Tim

"because I am happy to be with him.

"I don't want our friendship to die.

"At school, Tim is always happy and I am happy with Tim as well."

Sanjuro has given Tim more control over his movements.

Come on, Tim! Reach up! Push him!

And now he's getting a visit from Dr Mick Donegan

who helped develop the My Tobii computer, operated with your eyes.

I'm Mick. It's nice to meet you.

I'm just here to try and see

if we can get this system working

so that you can make things happen by moving your eyes around.

It's just a bit of fun. If it works, great.

If it doesn't, I'll come back again until it does. OK?

Mum is excited. If this works, Tim will get an instant voice

for the very first time.

He'll need to be more or less here

with his eyes about this distance.

Not all children like Tim will be able to make use of this.

It's very sensitive. A lot relies on Tim's eye control.

Dad is excited, too.

Tim is a natural and in no time Dr Mick has him playing the guitar.

-GUITAR NOTE

-D Minor.

I think we're doing a composition.

Excellent! Goodness me.

I like it.

Dr Mick is impressed at how quickly Tim has mastered the machine.

Where you look you will see a butterfly appear.

Hold your eye on that flower, if you can. Hold it right there.

-COMPUTER BLEEPS

-Excellent! Wow!

You're doing really well.

Speaking is suddenly made quick and easy.

-'I'd like some more, please.'

-You'd like more?

-'I think I like it.'

'Basically, what I did was see if eye control

'had any potential at all for Tim. And we found out that it did.'

The essential things for Tim are that it could pick up his pupils.

You need to have perfectly visible pupils, not hidden by the eyelid.

So that was good. And you also need someone who is well motivated.

As you saw, it was clear that Tim is very well motivated,

even after an exhausting school day.

If you go to this one...

'I say cool, man.'

-He's trying to be a joker!

-Great!

'He wanted to do it, he was clued in,'

and he was naughty. That was great.

I was directing him and said, "Press this button now."

And he didn't. He went where he wanted to go. He said a whole phrase

and when he wanted to say, "It's cool, man,"

that kind of thing indicates

that you're talking about a bright young lad with lots to say.

Is there anything you want to say now to finish off?

-'I've finished.'

-Excellent!

-Amazing. He's finished.

Mum and Dad are proud of Tim's achievement.

'He's quite happy.'

I think Tim kind of... He's quite cheeky about using the...

..his eye to make some sentence that was out of our expectations.

Like, "Cool, man,"

or, "I'm hungry." That type of thing, to express himself.

How he felt for this session. So, happy!

I think he's practising Sanjuro.

So how do you lift your legs?

Yeah, one. Two.

Mum has kept a video diary of Tim's Sanjuro practice at home.

Four. Five.

Six.

The Sanjuro master is ready to give his verdict on the class.

My assessment? Fantastic, mainly because

of the way they help each other.

With each term, the term who went before teaches those who come next.

So great. I've learnt a lot and hopefully they have as well.

One, hup!

Tim has had a very successful term. He has more control of his movement

and has found a new voice using the computer.

CHEERING

And now he's off to Wales

after being nominated for a Cerebra Award for disabled young people.

The long journey is starting and Tim has a friend along for the ride.

A bit excited!

Tim! Tim, here!

And Francis!

-Don't forget Mum!

-Let us in!

Tim and Francis are very excited, but there is a long drive ahead.

Tim, you want to go home now?

No way!

- Francis, do you want to go home? - No!

Tim is in line for the Funny Bones award

for children who handle their difficult lives by keeping cheerful.

For the very first time, he will speak in front of a large audience.

The awards take place every year for children from all over the country.

The next award

is for someone who makes everybody laugh.

The Funny Bones award. For someone with the gift to make others laugh.

Now the winner of this award standing here in front of me

is Tim Choi.

What kind of things do you guys get up to?

-We work together in class.

-Very good.

-Are you still at school together?

-Yeah.

-Very good.

I think that Tim has something that he wants to say.

'Thank you for awarding me. I feel happy to receive the award.

'Thank you for bringing us. I like to drive with my mum, dad and friends.

'I'd like to thank my best friend Francis.

'He helped me write this speech. Thanks to my mum,

'dad and grandma. They are here. They always love me and care for me.

'And to all my family and friends who support me and enjoy laughter.

'And thank you for listening to my speech. Ha! Ha! And goodbye!'

For Tim, this has been a busy and exciting year. He's achieved this

through his own hard work and determination.

In breaking news from Vale School,

Tim won the election in his class

and is now about to become part of the school's student council.

Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd - 2010

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