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I began my training in martial arts
during my college years in
Lancaster, Pa. My background in
social work led me to positions
where I would work with delinquent
teenage boys, in drug/alcohol rehab
centers and in prisons. Karate
provided me with the self defense I
needed at the time plus I enjoyed
the exercise, discipline and sense
of focus that I received from the
training. I stopped taking karate
shortly after college as life became
busy with career, marriage and
children. By 2004, my husband and
I had 2 daughters and were in the
process of adopting a 5 year old
girl from Sierra Leone, Africa. The
adoption required me to travel to
war-torn Sierra Leone for what
turned out to be a month long trip.
At about the same time, our
daughters were expressing an
interest in karate. As I was signing
them up to be students at Kreimer’s
Karate, I thought it may be a good
time to refresh my own self-defense
before leaving for Africa again. I
returned home from Sierra Leone with
a new daughter and a renewed
interest in martial arts.
In July of 2007 I earned my 1st.
degree Black Belt. I continue to
practice karate for the sheer joy of
it. My motives are no longer self
defense, although I often think how
nice it is to know how to defend
myself. Karate has been a wonderful
way to spend time with my children.
It keeps me strong and physically
active, it provides a sense of calm
and centeredness to my sometimes
hectic life and I enjoy the
camaraderie with fellow students and
instructors at Kreimer’s Karate.
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