Last Updated on December 19, 2013.
Signing my son up for Tiger Schulmann’s was the best decision that I have made for my son.
My son Alex is 10 years old and has Asperger’s Syndrome and ADHD. He has played youth organized football and baseball, but it just wasn’t a fit for him. He would challenge authority figures and never truly respected or listened to adult role models. Alex would constantly get in trouble because he was bored and the other kids would bully him and push his buttons which would cause him to have major meltdowns.
In addition, he didn’t want to go to school and it was a battle every morning just to get him through the school doors each and every day. Many times Alex would tell me that he was sad because he doesn’t have any friends. It has been difficult for Alex to make and keep friends due to the fact that kids are very judgmental and tend to make fun or pick him because his has his quirks and doesn’t have a filter when it comes to saying what is on his mind.
I read an article about Tiger Schulmann’s about ADHD as well as Bullying Prevention. I took him into the TSMMA School in Allentown in August 2012.
As a mother it crushed me to see my son going through this. I just wanted my son to feel like he belonged, to be successful, and to have friends. I read an article about Tiger Schulmann’s about ADHD as well as Bullying Prevention. I took him into the TSMMA School in Allentown in August 2012. We met with Joshu Fonda and Shihan Simpson.
I expressed my concerns about Alex they listened and said that I would see results if I stick with it. So, Alex took a few trial classes and he wasn’t sure about it, but I decided to make a commitment and signed him up. I was consistent and took him twice a week for Kids Core class. After Alex earned his high white belt, he expressed interested in trying grappling. I signed him up for grappling as well and he loved it.
He enjoyed going to TSMMA for class and he began to have less problems at school and at home.
Over time, I could see Alex’s self-esteem, self-control, and self-confidence improve. This was the first time that he truly looked up to, listened to, and respected his adult role models. He enjoyed going to TSMMA for class and he began to have less problems at school and at home. Alex has become a happier child who is eager to go to Core and Grappling classes every Monday and Thursday.
This past weekend Alex participated in TSMMA’s Challenge of Champions. This was our first tournament and it surpassed my expectations. The TSMMA staff instructors did such a great job and the event was very impressive. Alex competed in grappling, 9-10 year old, blue belt division. He was so excited, nervous, and determined to do his best. I was so proud of him grappling and he came in 2nd place.
It was amazing to see Alex with so much focus, attention, determination, and drive.
Not only did I cheer for him along with my mom and daughter, but the TSMMA Allentown students and their parents were cheering him on as well. It was amazing to see Alex with so much focus, attention, determination, and drive. He was not only excited for himself, but for the other students at our school as well. He enjoyed watching the other students from our school compete and he cheered them on and was intensely watching them.
On our way home from the kickboxing and grappling tournament I said to Alex that maybe next time we can have more family come and watch him. He said to me, “Mommy I did have my family there.” I said, “Well, yeah, you had your grandma, your sister, and myself there.” He profoundly said to me, “Mommy, I had more than just that there. I had my Tiger Schulmann family there. Did you see and hear them cheering for me? You guys and my TSMMA family is all I need.”
The tears swelled up inside my eyes. Finally I have found a place that my son not only feels that he belongs in, but a place where we have gained family. Signing my son up for Tiger Schulmann’s was the best decision that I have made for my son.
Finally I have found a place that my son not only feels that he belongs in, but a place where we have gained family.
Tiger Schulmann’s of Allentown has taught my son discipline, confidence, respect, and a non-quitting spirit. Shihan Simpson and Joshu Fonda have been such a positive influence in Alex’s life. I cannot thank them enough for their patience, guidance, and commitment. They have played an important role in inspiring Alex to be motivated, overcome being bullied, and understanding the positive results of hard work. In addition to all of that, we now have an extended family.
By: TSMMA Allentown
