Heritage of Healing is proud to have as a member a young Native American man, just turning 17 years old, who has taken the trauma he has gone through and turned it into success in Kendo, a Japanese martial art. This young man’s life was disrupted when he was young because his mother was diagnosed with an advance stage cancer and has been undergoing treatment ever since. It meant that she could no longer provide financially for the family, and this young man was forced to accept help as a result. He is now in need of help again. Four years ago he began the study of Kendo, which has given him a place to relieve his anger—he gets to hit opponents with a bamboo sword a few hours each week—and at the same time to develop his concentration and focus. He has become extremely proficient. At 15 years old he went to compete in the Midwest Regional Tournament and took first place in the Youth division, a feat he repeated the following year. Since he began doing Kendo in 2010 he has won 15 medals, of which are 6 gold. And this month the National Kendo Tournament will be held June 26-30, in San Diego, CA. This tournament is held only once every three years. The Midwest region, which is this young man’s region, is sending only three youth representatives, and he has been chosen as one of them. He is the only member of the Midwest team who is an enrolled member of a Native American nation, and will probably be the only Native American participating in the entire tournament. His mother’s cancer, which has been controlled through chemotherapy, is now taking a turn for the worse; and to be honest, she may not be able to make it until the National Tournament is held again in three years. Words cannot adequately express what it would mean to her and to her son for them to be able to go to San Diego this week to participate in this event. We are seeking sponsors and mentors to make it possible for this to happen. We need just $6,000 for this to happen: $4,000 for two round-trip plane tickets, four nights of hotel rooms in downtown San Diego, five days of meals, and a rental car for the duration of the trip; plus $2,000 for past-due rent so that the family is not evicted from their home when they get back on July 1st. The family would consider a loan of this amount if you are willing to do this, as they could sell their car upon their return from California. Everyone who contributes at least $1,000 will receive one of the young man’s used Shinai (bamboo sword), and those contribute $500-$999 will receive a tsuba, which is a disc that attaches to the Shinai to protect the fingers. Your contribution call be made by PayPal, using our [email protected] email address, or using the Donate button on our website at HeritageofHealing.org
Posted on: Wed, 25 Jun 2014 06:25:00 +0000
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