The Biggest Achievement.

Parker started Taekwondo in the fall of first grade just a couple of weeks before he had his first big seizure. Jeremy and I were ready to abandon ship because TKD is a lot of hard work with practices two days a week all year round with additional testing days quite often. But Parker wanted to stick with it and we honored that. Especially at that time when his activities were so very limited. He climbed belts every few months for a couple of years until he reached the fall of third grade and his Epilepsy had taken such a toll that we decided he had to stop taekwondo. We went in to discuss his health and our sadness with his teacher who had been with him since the beginning and I'll never forget Chris telling us that he thought Parker had come to far to have to give up now and he would come in on his day off and meet him on Friday nights and do one on one sessions for as long as Parker needed. It turned out he needed it for the entire year and so Chris faithfully met him for the last year. In the spring Parks was doing well enough to add an additional day for a few months while he worked on his final belt. In June he went through his final series of tests for his Black Belt. Two tests for a couple of hours, 6 broken boards, a long essay, 12 poomses, hand techniques, kicking techniques, and self techniques...all studied, perfected, tested and passed! To say we are proud of this boy's THREE YEARS of hard work is an understatement!!

 Parks and a couple of his friends waiting for the ceremony.

 This year's blackbelt recipients and judges in the row behind.

 Walking away with a mighty big trophy and a mighty big smile

 Parker's teachers from his color belts; Master Lee on the left and his dedicated teacher Chris on the right. I told Chris that we all teared up when Parker's name was called for black belt and he told me he sat there and cried as he watched Parks walk up and get his belt. And then I cried again. The dedication and love from this man!

 Master Park and Parker. Master Park worked with Parks once he got his Danbo belt and for the 6 months he worked toward his final belt.

 Parks and Grand Master Choi. This is the absolute kindest group of incredibly talented and strong men who lead by example with just the right amount of fun, high expectations, and serious athleticism.

 Of course, three years of hard work earns you a party with the grandparents, your own cake and doting on Parks for the evening. :)

 The proud Black Belt.