Cohen is Goin 2 the Championships!
Donation protected
Eric Cohen is a true HERO!
Born with Down's Syndrome, Eric has been battling all of his life just to 'get along', much less to succeed in attaining his aspirations. Eric is a black belt in the martial art of Taekwon-Do, which he's been studying since he was a child.
Eric pours himself into this pursuit, training in the art almost every day. As a child, his parents would have to physically drive him to Red Tiger Taekwon-Do on Sundays and allow him to try to open the (locked) door before he believed that Taekwon-Do was closed and there would be no classes that day.
As if the challenges thrown in front of Eric weren't enough, in 2007 Eric collapsed after competing in a local tournament, the Red Tiger Cup. He was taken to the hospital, where doctors discovered a grapefuit-sized tumor in his chest, pressing on his heart. How does a mentally challenged young man rectify all that is happening to him? Eric, however, is no 'normal' young man! Through surgeries and chemo, he battled this as he has every other challenge in his life, and is now cancer-free.
Eric and his family have battled other challenges, as well. As Eric's father worked to provide for their family, Eric's mother battled multiple sclerosis (MS) for years, and then later on, cancer. Recently, she succumbed to cancer, leaving Eric and his father to continue the battles themselves.
Eric has a dream - to compete in the Taekwon-Do World Championships. Normally this would be the type of goal from a young Down's Syndrome person that most would smile at, sadly thinking, "what a shame there's no chance." However, this year is Eric's chance. In July 2016, there will be a World Open Championship held according to International Taekwon-Do Federation Rules in Brighton, England, which will include a Special Needs Division. This is the first time ever for this category!
Coming on the heels of Eric's mother passing, this is a wonderful opportunity for a young man to honor the mother that cared for him and fought for him over so many years. We are trying to raise funds to send Eric, his father, and his coach to the UK in July to allow this to happen and we need your help!
Please help us make this HERO'S DREAM A REALITY!
This event is sponsored by GymHeroes.com
Born with Down's Syndrome, Eric has been battling all of his life just to 'get along', much less to succeed in attaining his aspirations. Eric is a black belt in the martial art of Taekwon-Do, which he's been studying since he was a child.
Eric pours himself into this pursuit, training in the art almost every day. As a child, his parents would have to physically drive him to Red Tiger Taekwon-Do on Sundays and allow him to try to open the (locked) door before he believed that Taekwon-Do was closed and there would be no classes that day.
As if the challenges thrown in front of Eric weren't enough, in 2007 Eric collapsed after competing in a local tournament, the Red Tiger Cup. He was taken to the hospital, where doctors discovered a grapefuit-sized tumor in his chest, pressing on his heart. How does a mentally challenged young man rectify all that is happening to him? Eric, however, is no 'normal' young man! Through surgeries and chemo, he battled this as he has every other challenge in his life, and is now cancer-free.
Eric and his family have battled other challenges, as well. As Eric's father worked to provide for their family, Eric's mother battled multiple sclerosis (MS) for years, and then later on, cancer. Recently, she succumbed to cancer, leaving Eric and his father to continue the battles themselves.
Eric has a dream - to compete in the Taekwon-Do World Championships. Normally this would be the type of goal from a young Down's Syndrome person that most would smile at, sadly thinking, "what a shame there's no chance." However, this year is Eric's chance. In July 2016, there will be a World Open Championship held according to International Taekwon-Do Federation Rules in Brighton, England, which will include a Special Needs Division. This is the first time ever for this category!
Coming on the heels of Eric's mother passing, this is a wonderful opportunity for a young man to honor the mother that cared for him and fought for him over so many years. We are trying to raise funds to send Eric, his father, and his coach to the UK in July to allow this to happen and we need your help!
Please help us make this HERO'S DREAM A REALITY!
This event is sponsored by GymHeroes.com
Organizer
William DiStanislao
Organizer
