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My Self-Defense Experience

 

By Melissa Green

As I stepped onto the Metro Lift, I felt nervous about the event awaiting me. I sat thinking about the self-defense class I was about to attend, and hoped I was ready for it. 

As the Metro Lift pulled up to the library where my Judo class was scheduled, my excitement grew. I felt a little nervous as the driver walked me up to the building’s doors. We began to walk towards the front desk. A man appeared to my right and asked if I was if I was their for the judo class. I told him I was and took his arm. The driver turned from me and left the building. We turned left.

The man and I walked down the hall.  We then entered the room where the instructor was waiting. He turned from whomever he was talking to. I felt the presences of a small group of people near me and my nervousness lessened.

After the introductions had been made, he guided me to a chair.  He then had me remove my jewelry socks and shoes.

I wasn’t sure what to think!

I did as he asked, first removing my jewelry putting it in my purse and placing it on the chair, then slipping off my socks and shoes.

I slipped my socks into my shoes and put them under the chair.              

The instructor guided me to a mat and had me walk around to get the feel of it.

A trainer showed me how to sweep my feet as I walked around the mat. I sat down in the middle of the mat with some of the other students were.

We talked a bit about what we’d be learning that day and my excitement returned.

The instructor paired us up so we could work together doing techniques he was planning to teach us.   

My partners and I tried to work through the steps that were demonstrated for us, but found them difficult to learn.

Our instructor came over to assist us and was able to help me learn the moves he was teaching us.    

We then, took a short break. It seemed like it was the five-minute type.

Then we discussed our fears on the street, such as being raped.

He then showed us some self-defense techniques we could use for protection in those situations.

Our partners were changed during each activity. I figured that way it wouldn’t be so routine. I didn’t mind.

The instructor assisted my partners in grabbing me and playing attacker. 

The instructor asked what we had learned from the whole experience. I told hem that

I was shocked to realize that I had so much power in me!

I thought the class was great! I learned a lot and was glad to partake in it. I liked the instructor who mad me laugh and showed me than I have more power than I ever knew I had!

I also enjoyed working with my partners who seemed to enjoy working with me. They were also friendly towards me, which made me calm. This experience has made me ready and more willing to protect myself if needed. I had a great time and it was a great learning experience for me.

I hope the library will continue to offer this class to totally blind and visually impaired people alike so that we can have the knowledge to better protect ourselves and not make people feel that just because we have a disability, we have neither the knowledge or necessary training needed to protect ourselves.

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