LOCAL KARATE INSTRUCTORS BEATS 1000 TO 1 ODS TWICE -- SUFFERS FROM SPINA BIFIDA AND GETS HIS 2ND DEGREE BLACK BELT

Auburn (PRWEB) June 4, 2003 -- According to the Spina Bifida Association of America web site,( http://www.sbaa.org/html/sbaa_facts.html ) Spina bifida is the most frequently occurring permanently disabling birth defect. It affects approximately one out of every 1,000 newborns in the United States." According to Black Belt Schools of America 1 out of 1000 students who start taking karate in America get to 1st degree black belt. Dan Stewart, one of the head instructors of McCoys Action Karate Spencer has beaten the odds twice. He is not only a Black Belt, but a second degree black belt, soon to be a 3rd degree; and he was not only born with Spina Bifida, but he is doing the impossible. At 28 years of age he is teaching and performing karate at a very high level, when he is supposed to be totally disabled.

My karate instructors changed my life," says Dan, when asked why he is taking and teaching karate. They showed me that I could go far beyond where I was told was possible for me to go. I teach so I can give back to my community the same way my instructors gave to me." Dan is one of those people who feel that the privilege of power is service to others, and he is pursuing that with his teaching of children as young as age 3 all the way through adults. When asked what he might say to parents of children with the horribly disabling disease he replies, What ever you do, do not under-estimate your childs ability. Encourage them to succeed, and they will amaze you."

Dan Stewart is one of the most encouraging instructors I have ever had," says Paul McCoy, one of the owners of McCoys Action Karate in Auburn and Spencer MA. Dan overcame a very demanding task of becoming a black belt, but in light of spina bifida, he really has done the impossible. He is truly 1 in a thousand.

More information is available from Paul McCoy, McCoys Action Karate 614 Southbridge Street Auburn MA at 508-832-4110.