Having a child with Autism means many great things, but also unfortunately means much rejection... "Sorry we just don't have the facilities to support her.." is code for "No. You cant come here."
No to Girl Scouts, Karate, gym classes and so on. Unless of course I want to pay 3 times as much and then, even then they rethink it and its NO. Coco had to watch her older, typical (code speak for not autistic) sister go to all these cool things that she just wasn't allowed to do, even if I sat there and helped.
We were kicked out of Kids Klub in south Pasadena. I said I would sit with Coco but they said no, no parents allowed and no "special needs kids". Just in case you moms were thinking about that place, its a chain.
After sticking my head in many many martial arts studios and hearing "No, no, sorry, no" I just happened across Lees Taekwando. Master Johnny Lee not only took in Coco (and Dorothy) but also took some of Coco's friends with autism and know this, he had never worked with special needs kids before. Never. He just didn't see a problem there. I know amazing right?? I remember him saying to me when I asked him about her "What? Why cant they do it? Coco can do it! I know she can! She is no different."
And that is how he treated her and her friends, no different.
His studio is very reasonably priced, super clean, friendly and a place you can count on for discipline and for warmth.
My shameless plug is for a man who is forever tattooed on my heart for his unconditional love of kids, special needs or not, Master Lee. More then a friend, or master, but now a member of my family.
Less Taekwando
xx lydiaemily
He really does incredible work! Thanks for putting this out there lydiaemily!
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