Last Updated on September 23, 2013.
By: Cathy Swezey – TSMMA Wayne
Dear Sensei and Joshu,
I’ve been meaning to send you a note for some time now to thank you for all you have done for Brian!!
As you may or may not know, he was diagnosed with sleep apnea at age 3 which caused him to have a delayed development resulting in a diagnosis of ADHD at the age of 7.
We knew he was very smart, but could not express himself verbally which in turn caused him to act out and have anger issues – mostly directed at himself.
We were repeatedly “recommended” to seek a doctor who could prescribe medication for his condition by his IEP counselor. Year after year, we told her that we would never medicate our son! We sought the help of a private therapist as someone for Brian to talk to about his anger issues and he seemed to like her.
Thankfully, we were invited to a birthday party for one of our friends at Tiger Schulmann’s Mixed Martial Arts school – he was hooked from that day! He took advantage of the free trial and he LOVED it! We were surprised as he had tried other sports and groups before.
We signed him up immediately!! After a couple of months, we received a phone call from his therapist to which she asked only one question: “What are you doing different with Brian?” I told her he started this new martial arts training and he seems to love it! Her response took me off guard – “He doesn’t need me anymore”
Since starting Tiger Schulmann, Brian has not only been able to get his anger issues in check, he got on the honor roll for the first time – ever! He was paying more attention in class! He was getting better grades! His focus was better! And – he went out for a sport his freshman year of high school that he never tried before – something he never would have done without the confidence and self worth he has acquired doing the martial arts!
Brian no longer feels like an outsider – the staff and students at Tiger Schulmann’s are truly a family! One that I am now happy to be part of! My joining has not only put me back in shape, but it’s something that I can do with my son together – it’s our “little thing”.
So thank you!! Thank you for proving that he didn’t need to be medicated! Thank you for showing him his self worth and building his confidence! Thank you for helping my son get his life back!!
With much appreciation,
Cathy Swezey
