By Esteban Fernandez, Times West Virginian
FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Joanna Clay watches her grandchildren, Rayonday Clay, Amirda Dixon, Larry Clay, Bre Jones and Journey Dixon, practice the detailed, choreographed movements that make up karate at Shihan Pat Wilson’s Dojo.
It’s been eight months since she introduced them to martial arts. Shihan Wilson, Gary and Terry Freeman lead their collection of advanced students to help train the junior learners at Mushin Do Karate. While Clay’s grandchildren go through their routine like any of the other students at the Dojo, they are also a little bit different. They are neurodivergent.
“Terry is their uncle, and he’d been asking me for a while,” Clay said. “I said, ‘Oh no Terry, you just don’t understand. I got a lot of kids, ADHD, High Spectrum, I just want to make sure they can make it in society. So, I want to teach them all at home.’ He said, ‘Joanne, just bring them.’”
Clay followed his advice.
The sport resonated with the children almost immediately. Clay said she saw her grandkids learn to express themselves on the floor with one another, and learn how to trust. One of the kids on the spectrum stopped bumping his head up against the wall and hitting his fist against his leg. He also had challenges taking direct orders. Another child with ADHD is learning how to focus on what she wants out of life.
