Archives > Plano Star-courier > Plano Insider
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Karate brings peace to abused teen
Marthe Stinton, mstinton@acnpapers.com
Through the discipline of martial arts, a 13-year-old from a broken home received a fighting chance for a better life and picked up a black belt along the way.
Braylen Moodley came from a divorced family and a difficult home life. He was living with his mother and says a healthy home life didn’t take a central role; both mental and physical abuse were prevalent. His father, Sealan Moodley, was watching his son embark on a downward spiral.
According to Braylen, he “just held everything in.”
When his father gained full custody, Braylen was removed from his abusive surroundings but soon faced another problem. Throughout the custody battle, Braylen was taking karate classes –his only outlet from the inner turmoil he faced. But money became an issue and he started missing classes. Soon, help came from an unexpected source: his instructor and mentor, Diane Reeves.
Reeves, Vision Martial Arts Center founder, had recently developed a scholarship program for students with monetary issues. After notifying the family of the opportunity and reviewing their application, Reeves awarded the Moodleys with a scholarship.
“A couple of years ago, we developed the scholarship program because I came across children with challenges whose parents are unable to afford classes,” Reeves said. “I knew that martial arts would really help those with mental and physical abuse. I went to some of my black belt (instructors) and we developed a program. The center is a contributor to the scholarship fund as well as outside businesses. We (hope to) build a better community one black belt at a time.”
Through the scholarship, Reeves was not only helping to build a better community but a better life for Brayden. Once he was in a stable home and able to continue his training, Braylen said he began looking at life from a different perspective.
“It has helped me out at school and at home a lot,” Braylen said. “When people aggravate me or something, I can walk away now – when before, they would end up getting hurt. As I got in (karate classes) I started making friends, and the friends there wouldn’t let me quit.”
Sealan also noticed the attitude changes.
“It took him from a very dark and emotional place in his life and karate brought him out of that,” Sealan said. “Attitude-wise there was a pretty significant change; there was a light in his eyes. He had something to look forward to and a goal to work toward. There are several people in karate that have become his friends.”
With the newfound outlet in karate, Braylen soon began sparring with friends.
“I started sparring,” Braylen said. “I really like it; when something happened at school or in my life I could take it out on the mat.”
According to Jeanine Stevens, a previous instructor of Braylen’s, it wasn’t long before senior instructor and world champion Tim Kirby felt that Braylen had what it took to compete in tournaments.
Braylen took first place in both sparring and forms in his first tournament and, along with his younger brother, Ethan, has consistently finished first, second or third in every tournament they have entered.
“I have seen tremendous progress in him, particularly in the last six months to a year,” Reeves said.
Through the mentoring he received from VMAC and the scholarship program that allowed him to continue his training, Braylen received his black belt this month and is now assisting in classes.
“I got close with a couple of my instructors, because they helped me walk through my black belt,” Braylen said. “Without them, I don’t think I would have been able to get it. They helped me when stuff happened with my mom and in my personal life.”
His success and new outlook has inspired his father to begin training as well.
“I am going to train really hard and try to catch up with Ethan,” Sealan said. “I hope that when we get our black belts, Braylen will be able to present us with them.”
According to its website, Vision Martial Arts Center is teaming up with local businesses and charities to provide scholarship funds for at-risk or underprivileged kids in the community who could benefit from the family atmosphere of VMAC. The center will match any funds donated by businesses or individuals and will provide a black belt mentor to help the child make it through the training process. A shuttle service is also available to help with transportation needs.
The center will also publish progress reports and success stories in the newsletter and on the website, so everyone can watch the student’s progress. For information on scholarships or the center, visit vmacplano.com.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: Plano Insider «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
