"Special Needs"
This Organization has a "Special Needs" Division. Headed by Soke Ed McLachlan. Soke McLachlan has over 50 years of this type of Instruction under his belt! And Soke McLachlan himself is Hearing impaired.
Professor McLachlan began training in the martial arts at the age of 10 and has been training and teaching for 50 plus years, beginning in Scotland where he was born and then came to Canada where he continues his passion. He is the owner and head instructor of E & T Martial Arts and Founder of Dora-Ryu Jiu-Jitsu (Tiger Jiu Jitsu). In 1984, he had a quadruple heart bypass and was part of a new research procedure which is now a common surgery to many.
In the year 2000, he started a team of 5 physically and/or mentally challenged adults, teaching them the basics of the Martial Arts, and they have just recently accomplished the green belt level. They named their team “The 5 Dragons” and perform demonstrations all over Ontario, Canada. And in March 2005, & 2006, they had the opportunity to perform demo’s and compete in the Arnold Schwarzeneggar Martial Arts Festival held in Columbus Ohio. And were invited back for 2007, 2008, 2009 AND 2010.
Prof. McLachlan created programs on “Street Awareness” for adults, children and the physically challenged and does seminars for groups of children and adults all over Ontario.
We have found that there are numerous small "pockets" of Martial Artists throughout the World with numerous physical challenges. And most have no, or very little Association with other Martial Arts Organizations. Or, their Instructors would attempt to teach these practitioners (some with great results) but lack an outlet to fall back to for assistance in teaching "Special Needs Techniques".
If you are interested in joining and help us to unite all of these small groups of Practitioners. Or request guidance in teaching these Special or Physically Challenged Martial Artists. Please contact Soke McLachlan at the email address below;
Adam and Christian
"Special Needs" Students
with Prof McLachlan.