Compassion and martial arts don’t seem to go together. But for Jeffrey Wall, a 15-year-old black belt, kindness is the driving force behind his every move. After a visit to his grandmother who lives on her own, the Ohio teenager realised that many elderly people in his community were lonely, disconnected, and in need of activity. When confronted by the isolation seniors experience, Wall knew that he had a role to play in alleviating it.
Wall was six years old when he began his journey with Tang Soo Do, a Korean martial art. He’s been devoted to this discipline for nearly a decade since, and is now sharing his expertise with the elderly. He founded Golden Age Karate to host martial arts classes for people in nursing homes, covering breathing exercises, kicks, and punches. Beyond physical development, Wall’s sessions are also an opportunity to strengthen bonds between people. “It’s not just about teaching how to kick butt, it’s about reconnecting every member in the community,” he says.
No one is too young to teach, and neither is anyone too old to learn. Wall’s students have grown in confidence and energy, their spirits renewed with every pose. “You don’t need to be family to support someone in need,” Wall says. “I just wanted to make elderly people feel like they weren’t left out or forgotten.” His generosity is helping seniors get a kick out of life again.
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