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Show u Blind finds caghv in mGirvidl ari Though close to being totally blind, black belt martial art instructor, N el don Moor, perceives more about life and his art than many who have their sight. For ten years, Moore has studied the martial art. Hwa Rang Do. which mean "the way of the flowering of manhood," but U wasn't until after he as blinded In an accident four years ago that he earned his black belt. Moore became legally blind when a Sminuteoperation for a retina detachment detach-ment took eight hours and left him with no vision in the right eye and 20-3000 vision In the left "After I was blind, I went through nine months of Hell trying to cope," Moore commented. "When I first lost my sight I went craiy because of things I could hear," he added. During those coping months, Moore said he felt a lot of self-pity, but I owe everything to Rod Burroughs, martial arts instructor who brought me out of my pit of self pity." "Many times he would say, 'Neldon, you've got to knock that stuff off,' when I felt sorry for myself." Now an able martial art teacher, Moore instructs two classes weekly in Randlett and Roosevelt. He will also begin one in Vernal. "Many times I tell my students 'If I can do it, anyone can.'" Moore said. "It Is not karate," Moore sold in explaining Hwa Rang Do. "Karate is any martial art which comes from Japan. Hwa Rang Do is one of the oldest martial art forms and was originally taught to young nobles for spiritual disipline in Korea." Although only able to see a little light but no image, Moore's perception is astonishing, even for a sighted person. "Just because I'm blind doesn't mean " I can't see." Moore said. There are many different ways of perception I've learned a different way." Moore said that there are some advantages ad-vantages to being blind and studytng Hwa Rang Do, in that the martial art teaches that all things possess Ki, life force of all living things. The art encourages en-courages the student to be in tune with Ki. Moore said that many of the things he does in the art is due to Ki. The art also stresses the development of the student in three areas: body, mind and spirit. "If we develop only the body then all we have is a bully," Moore said. "If only the mind is developed, the body is sloppy." The spiritual aspect is being in tune with Ki which is the life force of everything that exists. Whether it be Ki or something else, Moore is able to perform precise kicks to disarm a gunman or execute a practice punch that ends only inches in K I t Neldon Moore shows his style with a double front kick, (top) A mere tuq on the thumbs renders his offender helpless. (right) A technique for ciisarming an oMcndcr is demonstrated (below) Moore frees himself from a choke hold. Jeff Carpenter closes eyes to what Moore will do next, (bottom) -- i ' A:. - Wv j front of an opponent's nose. The art of Hwa Rung Do isn't for tournument fight, but implements as close as possible, actual street fighting. "In my classes we don't use the word 'can't'," Moore said. "In most of my classes I have to prove myself, but I gain more respect after a few demonstrations." Although mostly positive about himself, Moore says there are times when he is frustrated because he can't see. "When my son brings home a project and says look daddy, and I can't see it or when our last baby was born and I couldn't see it is when I am frustrated most," Moore said. Moore is the father of six children. To Moore, Hwa Rang Do is more than just a mode of defense, but-"it's a way of lire." "It's a tool, like a pair of gloves which I am able to incorporated into my life to make me a better person." i ( ,rr.r" - ! I I v 1 "' V I ' x v, ': ) ' I : 1 J - ' r - j I ii s f ( .. ' J i R! I . ) ' 'I |