Winter 2006

Carla Abbott at work in the machine shop

“From martial arts, I’ve learned self-confidence and mental discipline. Just because I’m legally blind doesn’t mean I can’t accomplish what I’ve set out to do,” says Carla Abbott, machine shop production worker.

A Seattle native, Carla discovered tae kwon do while doing janitorial work at the Salvation Army gym in White Center. “That’s when I first saw a martial arts class and how I got interested in martial arts,” she recalls.

“At first, I was at the very back of the gym and it was hard to see what the instructor was doing,” remembers Carla, who is legally blind due to a combination of congenital aniridia and macular degeneration. “I would look at the people around me and imitate what they were doing. Eventually, I worked my way up to the top student position at the front of the class.”

After four years of practice, Carla earned her black belt in tae kwon do. “I have been practicing and teaching tae kwon do for twenty-three years,” she says. “I have been studying karate for three years. I told myself after twenty years of doing one style, I would try something new. I have one more color belt to go.”

Teaching martial arts has transformed Carla’s outlook. “Practicing martial arts -- it’s changed my life. I used to be angry at the world. I’ve learned to live with it, to exist with my abilities.”

Now she is sharing her expertise with others by teaching classes. “I volunteer to teach martial arts, so I can pass the knowledge along,” she says. “I just recently started teaching some people who are blind. I’m learning how to modify it and see how the techniques would work. I’ve tried it with a cane.” She adds, “I’m also teaching kids in classes about different abilities. So the upcoming black belts learn about modification.”

After meeting a Deaf girl hoping to learn martial arts, Carla began learning American Sign Language so she could teach Deaf children. Her co-worker, Phil Quibodeaux, is helping Carla to learn the language. “Phil has been very helpful. If I’m doing a sign wrong, he’ll tell me and help me to do it right.”

Carla plans to continue teaching blind individuals and people with other disabilities. “Martial arts are for everybody. It doesn’t matter what disability they have,” she concludes.

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