NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (LEX 18) — The American Association of Disabled Martial Artists held its first-ever free self-defense workshop in Nicholasville, where participants learned how to protect themselves.
Grandmaster Len Kirschbaum emphasizes that self-defense remains necessary, especially in the disability community.
According to the Office of Justice Programs, between 2017 and 2019, people with disabilities were four times more likely to be victims of violent crime than people without disabilities.
Kirschbaum has been involved in martial arts for more than 60 years and has been able to adapt certain forms to help those with physical disabilities.
“In taekwondo, you have to block in a certain way,” Kirschbaum says, “and disabled people can't do that. Their range of motion is much less.”
After more than 35 years in martial arts, Tim Brassard was ready to learn more. He wasn't letting his cerebral palsy stop him from embracing Kirschbaum's teachings. “We all have options that we're not using, and if we do, we can make life what we want it to be,” Brassard said.
Broussard runs a dojo and wants to give people of all skill levels the tools they need to protect themselves. “My job, and my job others like me, is to empower them and give them the tools they need to defeat their opponents.”
Kirschbaum says he plans to host more free workshops in the future.
