My son, tested for his yellow belt this past Friday night. Although I know he was just another excited child testing, I want you to know that his was a much bigger personal victory.  

He has struggled his entire life with many social issues. He could not tolerate being in crowds, around loud noises, in a room with strangers, would not look people in the eye, and disliked being touched by pretty much anyone. He has been assessed for autism twice but both times I was only told that he "showed autistic characteristics".  

Starting school made matters worse for him. He began having panic attacks and was eventually placed in special education for an "emotional disturbance". In the meantime, I've taken him to any and every specialist that I could find to help ease his anxiety around people. He had started a mild dose of anti-anxiety medication which helped tremendously, but he still was not enjoying life as a little boy should. I'd been trying to promote martial arts to him for a few years, but the idea of starting something new was more than he could handle.  

Finally this summer, he asked me if he could join karate at Rick's Kicks. I'd never heard of your school, but I drove him there immediately. It was the first time he'd initiated something of the sort. I enrolled him after seeing that he was really going to walk into the classroom, and his life has changed dramatically since that day.  

He has begun making friends at school and is more tolerant of being hugged and touched. His self-confidence has shot off the charts and his ability to tackle new situations has increased 100%. I could go on for much longer about the incredible change that I've seen in my son, but I think you get the picture.  

So on Friday night when my son stood up in front of a "crowd" for the first time EVER and did karate he earned more than a yellow belt to me. He won his childhood back, and for that I would like to thank you.  I hope that my son will spend many happy years at Rick's Kicks. And I hope that you will continue to touch people's lives as you have touched ours.