I attended the Sunday presentation of Sara Baker’s black belt ceremony. Sara, whom I wrote about earlier, was in a terrible automobile accident. As a result, she became paraplegic.
However, before the accident, she had completed all the physical requirements for her black belt in Taekwondo- except the written test and creating a kata. With the help of Karen Winfield, a black belt Instructor at Pecoraro’s Academy, she was able to answer all her questions and create her kata.
Karen shared her experiences working with Sara. This account was both moving and funny. Answering the questions meant Sara communicating using her optical computer one letter at a time. Some questions took many Sara many hours to answer.
Creating a kata at Sara’s home, Karen explained, involved using Sara’s Dad to help her develop the various moves in her kata. Karen joked that no furniture was damaged as they practiced, nor were any family members harmed. And Karen shared how before her accident Sara was a powerful training partner.
After Karen spoke, John Sensei spoke about Sara’s journey. As he noted with a smile on his face, Sara had turned “lemons into lemonade” and was an inspiring example for everyone.
Then Dave Williams, the Academy’s senior student, demonstrated Sara’s powerful kata. And it was powerful.
After that, John Sensei announced that Sara had now completed all the requirements for her black belt. In a formal kneeling position, Dave Williams took Sara’s black belt with a red stripe and formally handed it to John Sensei who then gave Dave Sara’s black belt. Dave then placed the belt in Sara’s hand.
Sara had a smile on her face worth a million dollars. You could see how proud she was to have finally earned her black belt.
Congratulations Sara. You are a martial artist making an incredible and inspiriting difference for everyone.
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