Cane Seminar for Veterans

If you ask any martial artists why they study there are typically 2 answers; self-defense and to improve their quality of life.  

​Quality of life is defined as a standard of health, comfort, and happiness experienced by an individual or group.  Generally this quality of life is obtained by maintaining health.  Many believe the enhancement of strength and physique often provided by Martial Arts is limited to only youths…
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But what about the other generations that study Martial Arts? 
​Are these benefits available to elderly or disabled students?

People in their 40’s to 70’s are essentially untouched by the Martial Arts Community, yet senior citizens are the most vulnerable age group for violent crimes.  There is a stigma of weakness associated with the elderly or disabled but it’s considered worse when one of them requires a cane or ambulatory device.
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​It couldn’t be further from the truth.

 Canes have not only been used as ambulatory devices for centuries but also as weapons.  Bartitsu is a martial art and self-defense system that originated from England in 1898 to 1902 whose approach was to use canes and walking sticks as weapons.  Yet Bartitsu was “Asian-influenced” meaning the Japanese, Chinese and various Oriental origins had worked with canes and walking sticks.

A fun fact: Sherlock Holmes knew Bartitsu.

There are now many different systems were the curriculum is specifically set up to assist students with physical disabilities and require either a cane or walking stick.  Cane Masters is not only one of the world’s finest purveyor of custom made walking and combat canes but also instructional media pertaining to self-defense, exercise and rehabilitation while using a cane.  

​Robert Pilkington started Cane Masters in 2015 with knee and back problems.

Robert Pilkington: 2nd Dan in Kenpo, Shotokan and Taekwondo.  
Developer of Cane Po.

He explained,
“After 9 months of training in the Cane Masters system, I went to my primary care physician for my annual check-up and he barely recognized me.  I was standing up straight, not limping, was able to get up and down, had lost weight and my overall health had improved tremendously. “

​With Cane Masters you can find information on various Cane Systems such as Cane Fu, Cane Chi, Silver Dragons and the American Cane System Belt Ranking System.  Cane Masters has been active since the late 1980’s.

Their most recent non-profit program is changing lives.

The Cane Seminar for Disabled Veterans is a seminar structured to assist those who have lost limbs for our country.  Many of the attendees have prosthetic limbs, are in wheel chairs or are suffering from PTSD.

Robert is also a Veteran,
“I also suffer from extreme PTSD, and when I train, it gets my mind off all my issues, and for a few hours I have some peace in my head.”

​Many Veterans are used to working out on a regular basis.

  Their lives depend on maintaining a healthy physique in battle, but when they are injured and return home the focus shifts from preventing injury to coping with injury.  After seeing so many Veterans with disabled physically and mentally, Cane Master’s created the seminar in hopes they would help then by obtaining improving quality of life through exercise and boosting confidence with self-defense.

So far the Seminar has been a huge success and hundreds of Veterans have completed the course. 
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Bill believes the positive effects of the program are due to changing the frame of mind,
“If Veterans accept the challenges presented in the Cane Masters System, it will help them physically and mentally.  It gives the veteran something to think about and study rather than the day to day misery that most of us suffer through, both physically and mentally.”

The program is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) through Homeland Heroes. ​

 Homeland Heroes has been effective since December 2006.  Every position is non-paid and strictly a time donation position.  All monies and time goes directly to Veterans.
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The program is perfect for Veterans and the ability for one to carry canes or walking sticks in public is protected under the American’s With Disabilities Act or ADA.

​...“Covered entities must allow people with disabilities who use manual or power wheelchairs or scooters, and manually-powered mobility aids such as walkers, crutches, and canes, into all areas where members of the public are allowed to go...”

​It doesn’t get any clearer than that. 
​The ADA allows disabled persons to carry canes and other ambulatory devices in public places such as restaurants, hospitals or even airports.

​This program isn’t just assisting Veterans and the elderly...

 Its tearing down a fallacy those Martial Arts is only for young athletic youths…  It’s for everyone.   Martial Arts were created to equalize and empower weaker opponents who had a greater chance at becoming a victim.  

​Programs like this are helping break down barriers.

Not just for their students but for those watching and curious.  Programs like this, that the Martial Arts Community should be supporting, because they are executing the exact goal of Martial Arts. 

SELF-EMPOWERMENT


No matter your age, physique, or mental capability…  You’re quality of life will improve with self-empowerment.  ​
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​As stated, the Cane Seminar for Disabled Veterans and Homeland Heroes are non-profit organizations that rely on donations.  The donations given to the Cane Seminar for Disabled Veterans are what provide the combat canes for the Veterans participating.  If you are interested in donating to the cause or are interested in Cane Masters a link is provided below.

Metroplex Military Charitable Trust

Homeland Heroes Foundation

Cane Masters