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Blackbelt Ethan is an inspiration
Paul Maher27/12/2006
TEENAGE black belt Ethan Ward should be an inspiration to all parents with autistic children - according to his karate instructor.
The 15-year-old, who has Asperger Syndrome, successfully completed his black belt grading in Karate, at Meadow Mill's Bushido Martial Arts Club last week.
And his sensei John Robertson has been so impressed with the Ethan's determination to succeed that he recently awarded the Bridgehall teenager the club's Outstanding Achievement Award.
John, who has a daughter with autism, said: "Ethan had to work hard for nearly four hours to get his black belt and surpassed the adults along the way.
"He has been given no special treatment and is an absolute pleasure to teach.
"It is an amazing achievement for him and he has really won the admiration of all the students and parents at the club."
He added: "Some people think you can not teach children with autism but if you give them something to aim at, Ethan has shown just what can be achieved. He should really be an inspiration to all parents of autistic children."
Ethan - who attends the Together Trust school Inscape Cheadle - was diagnosed with autism when he was four-years-old.
His father Robert Ward said: "This is a big milestone in Ethan's life. I'm very proud of him. It's the hardest I have ever seen him work and he really really impressed me.
"Ethan has had his ups and downs but the way things are going for him at school and karate I know he is going to have a decent standard of living in future.
"Through karate he's is developing life skills and meeting people. He is doing brilliantly."]
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1/01/2007 at 20:27
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