Kicks For Kindness: Martial Arts Hall of Fame Teen Inspires Older Adults Through Karate
by Madison Naves | WeINSPIRE Journalist
BIRMINGHAM, AL -- Compassion for others makes all the difference in a person’s life. It can fill not only the giver with joy and purpose, but also uplift those in need of it. In the past year, the world has been in constant need of selfless compassion and kindness. One teen from Dayton, Ohio has come up with a way to use his Karate skills to give kindness to those in need. Jeffrey Wall is the 16-year-old founder of Golden Age Karate (GAK). GAK is a nonprofit organization that specializes in teaching elderly residents the black belt karate techniques that Wall has mastered. His skills earned him an induction to the Martial Arts Hall of Fame at ten years old. He currently runs GAK by traveling to different retirement homes to conduct classes for elderly residents.
Jeffery Wall photographed in karategi uniform. Courtesy of Golden Age Karate Instagram.
Wall began his nonprofit after seeing his older sister's success with her own nonprofit, where she travels to local hospitals to pamper patients by painting their nails and giving them makeovers. The Wall’s compassion to give kindness to others is a trait that runs deep in the family. Wall says that this kindness was passed down from his grandmother, who first gave him the idea to start GAK and his parents. His mother works as a nurse helping patients, while his father is a business owner that extends good service to customers daily. Wall models himself after them and the kindness they give back to people. He primarily focuses on giving back to the people who have shaped his world today, the elderly.
“I like to work with the elderly because I felt they weren't getting a lot of compassion [as] I felt with my own grandma, ” Wall said. “She lives by herself, and she's always so excited to have me over.”
He recognized that there might be more people being overlooked in the elderly community. He came up with a unique way to free feelings of loneliness for elderly residents by teaching them what he knows best, karate.
Wall earned his black belt in martial arts at 13. He says the key to mastering the craft so quickly was confidence. Confidence is what he makes sure to instill in his students. This is also what Wall says he enjoys most about instructing. The focus of his teachings is less about mastering the moves which can already be difficult, but more about instilling residents with enough confidence to believe in themselves.
“I'm teaching them basic techniques like how to punch and kick, ” Wall said. “But just seeing their smiling faces is amazing.”
This confidence can be necessary for residents to keep a positive outlook and find enjoyment while living in retirement homes to combat feelings of loneliness.
The National Academies of Science and Engineering Medicine reported in 2020 how older adults aged 60 and over are already 25% more at risk of becoming socially isolated. This isolation can stem from the loss of friends and family over time, limited mobility from aging, and distance when relocating to assisted living facilities. Emily Paulin wrote in 2020 for AARP about how extended isolation can be dangerous for older adults but even more so during the pandemic. When loneliness sets in for residents, this can negatively affect their mental health. Depression as well as a 50% increased risk of developing dementia, and a 32% increased risk of stroke can easily be triggered in the elderly.
“I can tell by how their posture has changed in the classes; When we first started, a lot of them were hunched over or shy, but now after a year, I see them with their chests [high], ” Wall said. “They're not afraid to do anything. ”
The COVID-19 Pandemic, unfortunately, has made conducting his classes difficult. When the pandemic first began, the CDC stressed that older adults 65 and older were among the highest at risk of catching Coronavirus. This meant that on top of social distancing and mask mandates, nursing homes for the elderly were closed for visiting. This only exacerbated feelings of isolation and disconnect for older adults. Many people complained about not seeing family and loved ones, with some just now reconnecting a year later now that vaccines are available to everyone. Wall extended his natural compassion once again by hosting virtual classes for his elderly students to abide by social distancing rules.
“They’re all joy-filled and congratulating me even though they should congratulate themselves for taking a martial arts class; Now they're super ninjas!” Wall exclaimed. “They are walking around kicking things, it was amazing to see the impact I made on senior citizens.”
Wall hopes to make more impact in his student's lives by instructing more classes in the future. He is currently on the path to graduate high school with hopes of studying engineering after enrolling in college. He wants to continue GAK and has a current goal of conducting 2000 classes by his junior year of college, and eventually take GAK global. He is determined to do this so he can teach others to believe in themselves while reminding them they are not alone.
Jeffrey Wall helps a student practice punches. Courtesy of Golden Age Karate Instagram.
“A piece of advice I would give [someone] is if you have a goal, reach for it, don't let anyone tell you you can't or stop you, ” Wall said. To learn more about Wall and GAK visit his Instagram page Golden Age Karate to see his exciting moves.
