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Cane-Fu teaches elderly and those with disabilities the art of self-defense

By CAROLINE GABLE

Story Created: Sep 7, 2010 at 3:58 PM EDT

Story Updated: Sep 7, 2010 at 7:00 PM EDT

NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. (WKTV) - Local Black Belts are helping those with disabilities learn a new self defense technique, and it's called Cane-Fu.

Black Belt Grandmaster Clifford Crandall is teaching Cane-Fu through seminars and a new DVD called - Moving Beyond Disabilities.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, non-fatal violent crimes against people with disabilities occur one and a half times more frequently than against people without disabilities.

"The techniques are very immediate and that's because we are dealing with a person that can't free themselves and they cant run either," Crandall said. "They are going to have to do something that's going to work and work quickly."

But techniques aren't just meant to scare off attackers. They are sometimes meant to trap them.

The American Martial Arts Institute in New Hartford teaches the brand new class, but instruction can also be found at www.securelivingonline.com

Instructors hope that Cane-Fu will empower those with disabilities, both with new skills and knowledge that they can still physically protect themselves with the simple use of a cane.

The DVD can also be purchased at Amazon.com.
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