“Downs in Motion” karate program for people with Down Syndrome

“Downs in Motion,” a program for people with Down Syndrome or intellectual disabilities, held a fundraiser Friday night at the Abundant Living Faith Center to keep the program going.

Edith Lujan is a parent who has her child enrolled in the program, she told ABC-7, “Not all of our students were able to attend the music class because we didn’t have money for it. That is the reason why were doing these type of fundraisers, so that in the future we can have all of our students participating.”

The group performed in front of an audience, at times one-by-one, showing off their best skills.

Karate instructor for “Downs in Motion’ Derrell Lewis said, “It doesn’t matter if they have a disability or not, they’re normal just like everybody else and they can accomplish anything they put their mind to.”

The program allows those in it to interact with others who have the same disability, get active, and try something new.

Pedro Gallindo has the youngest child in the group said, “To have somebody that has the patience and the ability to teach children with special needs the art of karate, it’s beyond words.”

During the fundraiser, the group was given new yellow belts to show their progress.

“Downs in Motions” parterners with America’s Best Karate.