General Disability Lifestyle

Posted on: Sun, Jun 1 2008 10:43 PM

Posted by: winter Posts: 4

Hello.  I am new to this site as a member, but have often visited and read most of the discussions posted. 

I am so glad this website was started as it is a great source of information and comfort. 

 I have a unexplained weakness which started in my legs and progressed upwards (main symptom is movement causes the muscles to become numb and therefore, cannot move.  Overtime, I have acquirded atrophy).  I can still walk, but can no longer do stairs or hills, and become tired extrememly quickly. Plus, they say it progresses with time. I have been diagnosed with a neuropathy, which basically means, I am un-diagnosed. 

However, the main goal of this post is...does anyone know any self-defense classes for people with a disability?  I cannot do the normal martial arts others can because of my condition.  But everyone needs to defend themselves...so, does such a thing exist?

Please let me know, I would greatly appreciate it.

(Oh, and as a side note, if anyone has experienced the same symptoms as I and is diagnosed or not, please also let me know.  Closest thing doctors have mentioned is possible SMA, but I tested negative..so, now what)

Thank you :)

Posted on: Sun, Jun 1 2008 11:08 PM

Posted by: brknbnes Posts: 286

A gun works for me.

Posted on: Sun, Jun 1 2008 11:14 PM

Posted by: SBChallengedinSJ Posts: 12

   I carry pepper spray in case of emergencies.

Posted on: Sun, Jun 1 2008 11:15 PM

Posted by: rainey826 Posts: 3,961

 welcome to disaboom ! lol i use my big mouth ~~~~~~~~~~ rainey 

Posted on: Sun, Jun 1 2008 11:21 PM

Posted by: SBChallengedinSJ Posts: 12

As far as your condition is concerned........Can you tell a little more about your symptoms? Any pain, or "just" weakness. You said there was numbness, how often does that happen and under what circumstances? Is it anywhere besides your legs? Did it start out as only your feet, and then progressively get worse? How long have you had these symptoms?

Posted on: Sun, Jun 1 2008 11:22 PM

Posted by: Nightengale Posts: 686

I took a one-day women's self defense class offered through my university.

What I did was call them up ahead of time and mentioned my limitations - poor balance, limited hand strength, can't run fast (use a cane) and asked if they had any experience with students with disabilities.  They said they did so I signed up. 

And they were actually decent.  Talked about using my cane as a weapon.  Talked about places I could smack someone.

I can't use pepper spray - got a lungful of some once by accident and didn't stop coughing for hours.  It would definitely incapacitate me more than it would most attackers. . .  

Posted on: Mon, Jun 2 2008 10:54 AM

Posted by: ducky01 Posts: 153

 I don't know of any actual self-defense classes designed specifically for disabled folks, but I have taken self-defense courses before becoming so.  Some of the basic guidelines apply whether you are disabled or not:

1) Make every effort to retreat from the threat instead of becoming involved in physical altercation.  If you notice someone following you, get yourself to a heavily populated area, or head for the first open establishment that you come across.  Let the people there know that you feel you are in danger, and ask them if they will help you. Trust your gut - it's easier to apologize for misunderstanding someone's intentions than it is to have the coroner explain to your family that you were attacked on a dark street by some person that had been following you. 

2) If you must use a weapon of any kind, make sure it is one that your attacker will not be able to take and use against you (knife, for example). I recommend keys between fingers for scratching and punching. True, if you open your hand, the keys will fall out and make this weapon useless, so try to keep your fist clenched at all times if you are using this method. If you carry a cane, make sure you keep it tightly gripped so that your attacker cannot take it from you. Do not throw it at your attacker, because then you will not only lose your weapon, but your attacker will be able to gain control of it.

3) If you ARE being attacked, do NOT be shy about swinging your cane or other weapon of convenience as hard as you can. They are trying to hurt you - holding back and only giving them a "love tap" is not going to make them go away.  Swing with intent to force them away or disable them so you can escape. 

4) Pay attention to your surroundings.  Look around at people who are in the area (making eye contact with a would-be attacker can actually be a deterrent, as they know you are taking a good look at them so you can identify them later).  Try to avoid being alone in areas that may be considered dangerous, or where you know that there is a high risk of assault/robbery (Dark alleys, secluded areas, high crime areas, etc.). If you are carrying a purse or briefcase, keep it close to your body so that purse-snatchers will not see you as an easy target.  Again, if you feel that someone is approaching you in a threatening manner, see #1. Do not just assume that YOU are being paranoid or too cautious, your safety is more important that being embarrassed.  

5) Find ways to discourage your attacker before he/she even begins. This will sound strange, and looks even stranger, but I was being followed by someone one evening while out alone, and when it became apparent that he was going to approach me and I would be unable to run away, I began talking to myself as though I were insane. I started talking to the traffic light on the corner, telling it what a pretty color it was, and asking it if it would join me for a drink. The man following me got close enough to hear me, and walked away when he figured out he might just be dealing with a nut job. Okay, this may sound even more strange or gross:  Take some action designed to disgust the potential attacker enough to make them want to leave. I have never done this, but one rape-prevention group has suggested that the would-be victim go so far as to vomit on themselves and then rub it on themselves to disgust and repel the attacker. Sounds extreme, but you can do laundry and take a bath later.  

6) If you are attacked, scream, whistle, pound on things, make as much noise as possible. Scream words like "Fire!!" "Rape!" "Call 911!"  and do not be shy about how loudly you scream.  You are not trying to be considerate of other people's sensitive ears here, you WANT people to hear you so that they can help you.Assume that you are fighting/screaming for your LIFE, because you very well may be. 

I hope some of this helps.

hugs from ducky 

Posted on: Tue, Jun 3 2008 12:17 PM

Posted by: Debbie Posts: 3,878

 hi winter, glad to have you join us and welcome!