http://concertina419u.cabbycentral.com/ Inspire Minds to Change Lives id http://concertina419u.cabbycentral.com/2009/02/21/srimanth-fights-cerebral-palsy-to-become-karate-champion.html The Indian contingent on behalf of the Isshinryu world karate championships in Pittsburgh, US on June 18, 19 as well as 20 shall include Srimanth Bal of Gujarat. Nothing unusual one would think. Except that Srimanth was a spastic. He was born with quadriplegia a form of cerebral palsy where brain damage renders both arms as well as legs dysfunctional — he had to be tube-fed on behalf of three years. Doctors told them to pray but his parents, Srinivas Bal as well as his wife of Vapi, Gujarat, wouldn’t give up. Surfing the net, Srinivas stumbled upon information that Chennai-based Shihan Hussaini, an 8th degree black belt in karate as well as social worker, was doing pioneering work with children of the Spastics Society of Tamil Nadu as well as that ‘karate therapy’ had worked wonders. Shihan Hussaini was contacted as well as Srimanth, 11, arrived in Chennai in 2003. He was wheelchair-bound; he could barely stand on his own. Hussaini then summoned one of his students Hardik Joshi — a 5th degree black belt from Gujarat — as well as gave him the responsibility of training Srimanth. Teacher as well as pupil went back as well as began, step by step, the laborious training process. It was six months before he could stand on his own. Then he started the basic blocks, hand attacks as well as kicks. Soon, Srimanth began running. He mastered complex katas of Isshinryu karate, leaving even experts spellbound. After five years, when Srimanth came here on behalf of his black belt test, Shihan Hussaini was dumbstruck. “Initially I was apprehensive. The boy looked like a vegetable. But he was a keen observer as well as quick learner.” Srimanth ran the mandatory 24 km non-stop before doing 100 repetitions of the difficult endurance exercises. He also scored excellently in his basics, katas, weapons, sparring as well as self-defence. Now, he is in the Indian team on behalf of the Isshinryu world karate championships — the first such boy to do so.  On Monday, Srimanth held a demonstration of his spectacular recovery as well as amazing talents at the Music Academy where Shihan Hussaini presented mementoes to the parents as well as the instructor. “I just can’t trust it. It is a dream come true on behalf of me. Joshi sir stood by me like a rock. If not on behalf of him, I would not be here today. Perseverance pays, I am an example of this,” Srimanth told media persons. Asked whether he was confident of bringing residence laurels from Pittsburgh, pat came the reply. “Yes. Why not? I am confident of returning with medals.” Said a proud Srinivas: “I just thank God as well as Joshi as well as Hussaini on behalf of their efforts in getting Srimanth on his feet as well as giving him a new lease of life.’’   http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Daily/skins/TOI/navigator.asp?Daily=TOICH&login=default&AW=1235309351140 Sat, 21 Feb 2009 08:57:06 -0500 concertina419u