Karate helps boy improve motor skills

The boy has become a second-degree black belt.

By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

GIRARD — Virtually any fan of action movies is familiar with the entertainment value of martial arts moves, but for a Vienna Township family, martial arts go much further than entertainment.

In fact, the discipline is credited with physical improvements in what had been a very ill child

Nine-year-old Daniel Griffin dons his black karate uniform and makes his way to GTA Karate on West Liberty Street, Girard, several times a week. He begins the day with stretches and exercises before practicing moves associated with his “Kata” — or detailed set of movements in his course of training.

Griffin has spent the last four years practicing the martial arts. He recently reached the level of second-degree black belt.

Daniel and Dolores Griffin sit proudly in the hallway of GTA Karate watching the younger Griffin practice his art through a large window.

Both parents remember a time before martial arts practice — a time when they did not expect their only child to survive.

“It was awful. I was only 28 weeks along when [Daniel] came along. When he came, our priest came to the hospital to give him his last rights and baptism,” Dolores Griffin solemnly recounted. “No one expected him to make it.”

Daniel survived the first trying months of his life and seemed to be progressing. But his parents soon realized that he was not developing certain motor skills as should be expected.

Dolores Griffin said the family tried various developmental strategies, but with his sixth birthday and school nearing, Daniel was still having problems holding a pencil.

The Griffins turned to the discipline and teaching associated with karate to help develop Daniel’s motor skills.

“I thought the exercises would do him some good,” she said. “Karate is what has helped him the most and he likes it. He likes it better than when I make him go to the hospital, that’s for sure.”

Now, Daniel practices the art form in perfect unison with other members of his class. The only visible evidence of his struggle for life as a young child are his two hearing aids — and he pays them little attention.

Al Sterchi, GTA Karate School instructor, said karate can be naturally beneficial to a child such as Daniel. The Griffins’ experience is no surprise to him.

“We really focus on that eye-to-eye contact. Martial arts being what it is, we teach kids to use both sides of their body equally. That automatically helps with motor skills.”

He said another principle taught in karate may also be at work. He said kids are taught to try something even if they may fail — the effort in trying to get it right is what counts.

As for Daniel, his mom said he’s asked to put bricks in his room so that he can attempt to break them. His request has been denied.

But karate, be it for fun or motor skill development, is something he plans to stick with for a long time.

“I want to keep doing this my whole life,” he said.

jgoodwin@vindy.com