Jack's Story

My name is Jack and I am eight years old. The reason I started Taekwon-Do was because I was being bullied at school. I had always enjoyed school but when I was being bullied I couldn’t stand going. I was very quiet when I came home because it was on my mind all the time. I didn’t want to tell anybody because I hoped it might stop but it got worse so I did tell my Dad. That weekend I had a football tournament and that’s when my Dad met Mr. Bartlette, he teaches Taekwon-Do and said he could help me. I have been going to Taekwon-Do ever since with my brother and my Dad and it makes me feel really good; I am now a yellow belt. Last week the same bully picked on me again. I have been trained to say that I don’t want any trouble but he still tried to hit me. I blocked his fist and then grabbed his arm and left him on the floor. I felt brilliant and not scared, I don't think he will pick on me anymore.

Jessica's Story

When leaving a local newsagent I was stopped by a man who reachged out and shook my hand casually asking how I was and smilling, to look less suspicious to other people around. He then asked me to hand over any money I had. I had just put my money away in my bag. On automatic pilot, I performed the self defence movement for the handshake I learned recently which involves twisting the wrist and thrusting down. This then caused him to fall to the floor. He then walked away. Without learning this movement in one of the self-defence aspects of the TKD training sessions I attend, I could have been in much more trouble!