Visions

Sensei Paul DeMatteis

Class Locations & Times
Updated January 17, 2006"The first class for the World Seido Karate Associated Blind branch was on February 13, 1989, in the auditorium located at the Associated Blind Building (TAB), less than one block west of Honbu. My new students had no idea that a part of karate meant standing on one leg and having your other leg kicking over your head. I knew three things by the end of the first two-hour class. They did not give up and they had great patience -- but very poor balance and flexibility. It took me 45 minutes to get all six students into zenkutsu dachi. Out of this group of new students, most had been held back from sporting activities. Without the aid of sight, balance while kicking and punching was extremely difficult. I will always remember being impressed with the determination and strong spirit this group showed on its first night -- and in all subsequent classes and promotions.

A blind class at the Associated Blind Branch practices standing on one leg.

"This might seem like the beginning, but the real beginning was a few years earlier. I had been training at Seido since 1978, and never noticed TAB's facilities or the high number of visually impaired and blind persons traveling to and from TAB, but one morning they became visible. I was having breakfast with David Cohen -- another Seido student -- and his wife. We were around the corner from TAB. David started to talk about his visually impaired neighbors and about his teaching blind people to swim. This very much impressed me; and the TAB occupants became very visible to me that day. I decided I would like to do something similar one day. It stayed in my mind for quite some time, but I could not think of something to share. In the back of my mind, karate kept coming up, but always faded away because it seemed teaching karate to visually impaired people would be impossible and impractical. Who would take this seriously? Perhaps I was afraid, and lacked the courage to undertake such a task.

"David died about two years later and his death gave me the courage and inspiration to begin my classes. It took several years more of preparation. I began assistant teaching, and in this context began to consider ways in which such a visual undertaking could be converted for the visually impaired. In the latter part of 1988, I asked Kaicho and TAB what they thought of my idea. I was very nervous - Kaicho responded with overwhelming enthusiasm and support, and TAB thought it a good idea. We started a trial program four months later. Now, more than ten years later, the program has become very successful. It is not unusual to have several seeing-eye dogs tucked away in the dojo or to see a blind karate student in his gi with a white cane. Our first Shodan student received his black belt in 1995, and we now have four very anxious brown belts. Over the years, I have seen students accomplish the unbelievable -- it has changed the way I think about life. Other Seido students have neglected personal obligations, as well as their own training, to teach at TAB, and they have been instrumental in creating the success enjoyed by our program. May the goodness they have shared with others be returned to them! Roxanne Blatz shares responsibility for running this program: she has selflessly contributed her time, energy, and devotion; without her this program would not have endured. Peggy Eberbach and Joe Scerri are assistants who can always be depended on. And most of all I thank Kaicho, who has lent his stature, resources and unending enthusiasm. To David Cohen: This program honors the memory of your generous spirit."

Ippa Do Ban Pa Sho -- One wave sets thousands in motion.

For more information, please contact:
Sensei Boris Kuperman

Class Schedule

Head Instructor: Sensei Boris
Monday	6:00pm-7:30pm	Visions
Wednesday	5:00-6:00pm Kumite (Sensei Chris)	Honbu
	6:00pm-7:30pm	Visions
Thursday	4:30pm-6:00pm	Visions
Saturday	12:00pm-1:00pm	Honbu
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The classes are held at Honbu or Visions depending on the day of the week. At least one of any required classes must be attended at Visions. Please make sure to arrive 15 minutes early.

Directions to Visions:
The center is located at 135 West 23rd Street between 6th & 7th Avenues, closer to 7th Ave.
Subways (from closest to farthest): 1, 9, F, V, C, E, R, 6 at 23rd St.
PATH train stops at the 23rd St F & V station.