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Special Needs Martial Arts

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(Television News Clip from September, 1996)

My Name is Paul Del Sordo and I am a martial arts instructor with a passion for working with special needs children and adults. I have been involved in the martial arts since 1986, I own and operate a standalone studio for special needs children and I teach in 8 special needs schools. I teach during the school day and in many cases I am in the student’s IEP (Individualized Education Program). When I am finished at the schools I immediately go to my studio and continue my work there. The students I teach are predominantly on the spectrum or are medically fragile. Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders, ADD/HD, aggressive behaviors, tourette’s, sensory integration disorders and much, much more are worked with ether 1:1 or in small groups. The results are immediate and measurable!

Funding is necessary to help special needs families and expand our facility. I have personally spent in excess of $150,000.00 of my own money over the past 12 years to provide multiple facilities and services for special needs families, and needless to say it has financially drained me. These services included paying for Occupational therapists, Physical therapists, Speech therapists, ABA therapists, Behaviorists, a Child Psychologist and special education teachers to assist me at my studios.

Between therapies, medical visits, 24/7 nurses, equipment, transportation costs and much more; families with special needs are denied access to activities that are adapted so children and adults can participate like everyone else. I, however have been providing this for approximately 20 years now at discounted rates or for free. I need your help, please….

Funding will go toward assisting those that cannot afford 1:1 lessons, group classes, uniforms, transportation, therapists assisting on the floor, in home sessions, paraprofessionals, discounted rates for classes and last but not least; ensure the money is available for the increased overhead and expansion to a larger facility. Increased space will allow me the ability to provide additional services with all the necessities for adaptive martial arts. One of my considerations is a sensory martial arts room, something that has never been considered in the industry.

Please consider funding the special needs community under my guidance, as this is exactly how this money will be spent. Part of the funding will be earmarked to start a nonprofit martial arts foundation for special needs families. Should the formation of a nonprofit become a reality, the larger donors will be part of its formation and naming.

Thank you, your donation is very much appreciated by myself and our special needs families.

Paul Del Sordo

Organizer

Paul Del Sordo
Organizer
Scotch Plains, NJ

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