To Fellow Martial Artists

Many years ago I took a form of Hung Gar Kung Fu for 3 years. I enjoyed it greatly. I leveled up twice. And was halfway through to the next level. However, I was forced to quit because of a clumsy teenager who punched me full force in the eye during form practice (I repeat...FORM practice). Anyways, this caused a detached retina and I had to have surgery on my eye to prevent loss of sight. 6 weeks later my vision had thankfully returned to normal. However, the close call forced me to quit my formal training. I could not justify the risk of practicing and sparring with clumsy people. The instructor offered one-on-one instruction so I wouldn't have to worry about being accidentally punched in the face or anywhere else. But at the time it was too fresh of a wound and I turned down the offer.

Now it is years later and I really miss it. But the only way I would even consider formal training again would be with one-on-one instruction from a seasoned master. Have any of you had one-on-one instruction? If you were me, would you be able to trust another person with such a task?

I still have a passion for this deep down. And would like to in someway continue. But it may just be a dream I can't feasible realize.

Thanks.

I know this has nothing to do with Martial Arts but there was once a girl who was an amazing surfer and she got her arm bit off by a shark. She still surfs. I think you know what I am getting at here . . . :D If its something you are passionate about dont let your fears keep you from doing it.

I would recommend that you visit a couple of your local Dojos and visit with the Master Instructor and let him/her know what has happened in the past and ask if you can watch when they do patterns or when they spar. This will give you a level of comfort to see the students and teacher interact and how aggressive or passive they spar. We have people in our school that go full on all the time and can only spar certain people. We also have people that truly want to help others get better and teach others the true art. If it something you truly would like to get back into I would recommend it, it is a great form of exercise and stress relief.

Wife = Black Belt
12yo Son = Black Belt also a Judo Player
11 yo Son = Advanced Brown going to Black, he is also the State Judo Champion for his age & weight class
Dad = sparring and training dummy

If you love it that much you can always get some sort of face gear. Only thing that jumped in my mind was those clear face things like NBA players use, not sure of how much those are, but that sort of thing is what I am talking about.

Also, I was in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, I absolutely LOVED it, but did my knee in and had to have surgery on it and now I can't put weight on my knee so no go for me, but I KNOW the owner who taught the class would have been perfect to work with on a one on one basis, I just think 95% of the "masters" are just like that though.

nut up, or shut up! lol

I say go for it chris! You only live once. In 30 years when you look back do you wanna be regretting that you didnt take advantage of the oppurtunity?

(and if you end up being like a hundred year old dude doing martial arts then youre like my hero).

I'd say go back into it, but get some kind of eye protection (if any is availible). I'm just starting Karate back up after 3 years off.

There's plenty of similar activities and other martial arts with reduced risks. Don't be dead set on sparring with strikes and do some research into options that fit the risk level you are comfortable with.

Discuss your choices with a doctor for sure, as well as potential teachers, don't let anyone on the internet persuade you to barrel headfirst into something that might lead to blindness.

I appreciate the replies. But some of the arguments don't hold up. The odds of getting hit in the eye in a place that punches are regularly thrown doesn't are much higher than getting attacked by a shark in the ocean.

Anyways, my greatest fear in life is losing my sight. I have poor eyesight. It a miracle I see as well as I do. So I don't take it for granted.

I was bullied a lot in school and learned how to defuse situations that could have turned violent. But I've always had a fear in the back of my mind of not being able to talk my way out or run away and be forced into conflict. That's why I took martial arts to begin with. I always wore head gear in sparring and so it wasn't an issue. But I never expected someone to go full contact on a damn form.

Anyways, it's just something I think about sometimes.

I'm a blue belt turning purple in bjj, and i also do kickboxing and practice MMA.

I honestly think this was more of a freak accident. I dont think the chances of this happening again are very high. In MMA guys guys go really hard, sometimes too hard, and this isnt an issue we deal with very much. I think youd be safe to go back.

Ok so you didn't tell me this but if you want your wife's opinion, I say go for it hon. I remember how much you loved it and enjoyed class. Who knows what will happen if you never try?!:rolleyes: