Winners Never Quit, and Quitters Never Win!

I never could imagine this day many years ago. CHAD JUST PASSED HIS BLACK BELT TEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Holy cow, this is real. It is so exhausting, it is 5pm and Chad is asleep:

When Russ signed Chad up for karate 4 years ago, I was upset. They require intense focus and discipline and perseverence...the VERY things that Chad having Asperger's Syndrome struggles with. However, we thought this may help him in those areas. And it has. And here we are today.

The school produces numerous state champions every year. The testing is incredibly intense. He had to memorize a book about 60 pages thick and test for 9 months all leading up to the BIG test that was today. We went to class 4 times a week all year and passed up on several weekends away because Chad couldn't miss phase testing class. I cried many tears along the way because it was hard to see Chad struggle at times. We practiced and practiced at home. I said "I hate Karate" about 100 times (only to Russ) and wanted to quit just as many. Chad proclaimed that he was quitting several times too (it's hard to lose every sparring match and grappling match...over time he started to win). But every one of us and Chad knew that it would be something worth fighting for and he would get there with sheer will power. Winners never quit and quitters never win.

After 2 hours of weapons, forms, sets, self-defense, grappling, and sparring testing, they had to spar and grapple each other, other black belts, and instructors. Chad got elbowed in the face a few times. Sweat was dripping like a rain shower.

The last part is the one hundred pushups and situps. At this point they are all so exhausted, it seems impossible. But they let us get right next to the testers and cheer them on. This is when the tears flow from everyone in the audience.

Chad reminded me of a woman in labor. It was like he was giving birth to a black belt! I have never seen him work so hard for something and I am SO proud I feel like shouting it from the rooftops.

Chad, your perserverance and determination are worthy of black belt! Congratulations. Nothing is impossible. You have learned that when you get knocked down you get right back up again and continue the fight. I LOVE YOU, CHAD!