At 72, third-degree blackbelt lends her skills to special-needs children Seventeen pairs of eyes focus on the instructor as she reminds the youngsters to bow and repeat after her: “I promise to keep my hands and feet to myself at all times.” The class at USA Freestyle Martial Arts, off Midway Drive, could be at almost any dojo (school) in San Diego except for two things. First, the volunteer sensei (teacher) is a 72-year-old great-grandmother with a third-degree black belt in mixed martial arts. Second, the students, outfitted in pint-size gis (outfits) are special-needs children. Mary Davis of Point Loma has been teaching STARS — an acronym for super talented and really sharp children — for four years. Though she has an education degree, she doesn’t have a background in special education. And she teaches the 4-through-19-year-olds much like she does her class of kids without special challenges. With the help of 50-year-old instructor Joan Irvine, Davis said, “We learn as we go along.” Once a stay-at-home mom with three children, she has six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She began studying martial arts when she was 57, alongside one of her daughters. Davis earned her first black belt by the time she was 60. She said it seems natural to volunteer to teach what she loves, because Davis used to donate her time as an assistant soccer coach, Bobby Sox manager, Girl Scout leader, Sunday school teacher and Star of India tour guide. “I try to keep on going,” said Davis. “I basically don’t have any arthritis. I attribute that to moving like this.” While her contemporaries practice the slow forms of tai chi, Davis said, she boxes. She spends at least six hours a week at the dojo, working out and teaching two special-needs classes, another children’s class and a self-defense course for older adults through the Aging and Independence Services. Learning martial arts, she said, empowers both older adults and children, especially those with challenges. “I love all these kids and I get such satisfaction from teaching them and seeing them improve in even the littlest ways,” Davis said. When they started, many of the children couldn’t stand still. Now, they’ve learned to wait patiently and follow instructions. “Just seeing these kids try whatever we ask of them and never give up makes me know the class is more than worth the time we spend with them,” Davis said Unlike many people learning a new skill, the special-needs students don’t get embarrassed when following the exercises. Meanwhile, the sensei said, the children get stronger, with improved balance, focus, discipline and confidence. Trish Fotinos, whose young son, Mathew, has Down syndrome, said, “It’s amazing to watch the kids progress from running around to sitting still and listening.” She said Mathew doesn’t have many language skills, but does well with the class because it emphasizes the visual. Sioban Borclers, whose 5-year-old son, Liam, is mildly autistic and hyperactive, said the class is helping him, too. “This is something positive that he comes to and has fun,” said Borclers. “Everywhere else, people tell him, ‘Don’t. Don’t. Don’t.’ Here, the kids are accepting.” Meanwhile, Borclers said, “They talk about social skills and learn to say, ‘Please’ and ‘Thank you.’” With the children’s attention on her, Davis reminds them, “We stand at attention and say, ‘Yes, ma’am.’ We need to be really good listeners.” A youngster responds, “You treat everyone the way you want to be treated.” Britt Buss, who often works out with Davis, said, “She’s proof your life can go on to the fullest as long as you keep moving and stay active.” For more information about the class for special-needs children, call USA Freestyle Martial Arts at (619) 224-9600.
