By Jack Gibson
Bill Armfield became my student in1981 when I first opened my martial arts club and began developing the Freewind Martial Arts system. Bill was an avid and dedicated student from day one. Even though classes were over a thirty-minute drive, Bill was never missed a practice.
Bill was a quick learner and practiced constantly. He never let any obstacle stop him for very long. There was only one problem I ever noticed, he always carried himself ramrod-straight, his back never bending. One day I asked him about this, pointing out that at times it might be best to loosen up for a little more upper body mobility "Id sure like to," he replied, "but I have this steel rod 'in my back "in place of a spine. When I was a kid I had a real messed up spine and had to have it fixed." With those words spoken, he matter-of-factly returned to his workout routine. That was the first time Bill amazed me, it sure wasn't the last. You see, Bill never complained about a problem, he always just worked his way around them.
In 1985, Bill became the first person I promoted to black belt. He was the embodiment of every thing I wanted to teach, demonstrating precise technique, a quiet intensity, and a thirst for knowledge that insured that my style would continue to grow and evolve. Bill became my assistant instructor, I counted on him to teach classes in my absence, and help out with my day-to-day routine.
A couple of years later Bill moved to Paradise, California, opening his own Martial Arts school. We never lost touch and I could always count on seeing him every July at my annual martial arts championships. He would always be there to compete and help even though his cars would breakdown on the way, or a shortage of cash forced him to perform martial arts demonstrations for donations at rest areas to get money for the return trip. When Bills mind was set, there were no obstacles.
Last year Bill didn't make it to my event. Shortly before it was to take place, I received a phone from his ex-wife, Kora. She informed me that Bill had suffered a broken neck from a trampoline accident. It seems that Bill, never satisfied with limitations, was trying to see how many back flips he could do. He wasn't happy with two he wanted three. He made two and a half Bill had landed on his head, crushing a vertebra in his neck He was paralyzed in his lower arms and from his chest down.
I was shocked. It was a very emotional time. Bill had become a very accomplished martial artist, winning consistently in tournaments, honing his combat skills in seminar training, running a successful martial arts school. Now his life was changed radically. Not only was he unable to practice his beloved martial arts, it was doubtful that he would even be able to care for himself and his two children, Timmy and Jeremy.
Strapped to a bed in a hospital, completely helpless, with tubes inserted into every orifice, needles feeding him, machines helping him to breathe. He got very depressed... for about two weeks.
After that, time he quit worrying about himself and his shattered life and began to fret about his students and his family. "They were counting on me," he told me later, "I couldn't let them down."
After weeks in the hospital, Bill was taken to a rehabilitation center to learn to deal with his handicap. With a "halo" device bolted to his skull and strapped to his body holding his head immobile, he began to make some minor progress. As soon as he was able to move his fingers, he picked up his Escrima sticks and began to practice, improving his muscle control and coordination. Bill began to search out his limitations and expand them. One time as he was experimenting with his wheelchair dexterity by popping "wheelies", he tipped over backwards, driving the bolts of his "halo" into the back of his skull and pushing them out of his forehead. After this setback, Bill began the wrenching process of relearning to do the things most of us take for granted.
Bill was determined to lead a normal life and continue doing the things he loved to do before his paralysis. Bill had just gotten his Corvette running before his accident. He was determined to be able to drive it once again. As soon as he could move the toes of his right foot, he began a constant litany to himself "Gas ... brake. Gas ... Brake." Trying over and over again to place his foot in the proper positions.
After it was determined that he could begin to care for himself Bill was sent home under supervision. With the "halo" still bolted to his head (as it was for a total of three months), Bill decided it was time to "get back to work. " He called his students, put up his open sign, and began teaching once again
In the beginning, it was very difficult, not being able to demonstrate the techniques he was teaching, but having to describe the movement to his students while having a more advanced student illustrate the action. Now, however, Bill describes the benefits of this teaching style: I became better at communicating, and the students I used as an example improved their demonstration and teaching skills."
Bill also refused to be confined to his home. One night he felt like going out for a beer. Unable to drive, with the halo still bolted to his skull, Bill wheeled his chair out the front door and rolled downhill a few blocks to the local tavern. "Thank goodness I ran into someone who could give me a ride home, I wasn't looking forward to going back up that hill," he told me later, in a phone conversation.
With hard work, perseverance and a lot of martial arts therapy Bill began to improve. He regained the use of his arms and some movement in his legs to the point where he is now able to stand and get around with the use of crutches.
This July, Bill once again made the exodus from California to Washington to attend my annual martial arts championship, as he had always done before his accident. He pulled into the parking lot, driving his Corvette (with his wheelchair strapped to the top). He looked great, had a big smile on his face and was as energetic as ever. Bill was ready to compete in his first tournament since his mishap. Deciding at the last minute to compete in the "open" division, Bill took his student, Joel, aside to work up a routine. When it came time for his competition to begin, the crowd became very quiet, not knowing what to expect when he rolled out in his wheelchair, staff in hand. What followed was an inspirational display that included a staff form, went on to a weapons demonstrations using the parts of his wheelchair and concluded with a self defense routine using his crutches on his attacker.
When it was over, the crowd went wild standing and cheering for several minutes. In all my years of tournament attendance, I have never seen anything like it. I am not a person who is prone to emotional displays, but I had to step away to hide the tears in my eyes. Bill won the open division and narrowly lost in the grand champion competition. I can't think of any prouder moment in my life. Bill is still teaching. His classes are going better than ever. I was privileged recently to promote one of his students to black belt Bill is determined to do away with his crutches and wheelchair, but if that is not possible, "I'll just deal with it and keep doing the best I can.” he says.
In a recent conversation, Bill told of how he is getting used to people's reaction to him as a handicapped person. "People will either ignore me, pretending I'm not there, or do just the opposite, trying to be overly helpful. Sometimes people speak extra loud, like I was deaf or something, or sometimes they treat me like I'm retarded. Hey, I'm just a person like anyone else, with the same hopes and dreams and desires. I don't like being treated any differently."
Bill is a hero, a shining example of martial arts determination and courage. Here is a notice to all you movie producers out there, trying to come up with the next action flick and scrambling to sign Van Damme Or Seagal; how about a film about a real martial arts hero that defines the true spirit of a warrior and demonstrates what the martial arts are really about.
Bill Armfield is a warrior. Demonstrating more warrior spirit than most of the Black belts and instructors and actors, I have ever known or seen. I am his teacher he is my inspiration. Next time you're bitching and moaning about having a bad day or a tough life, think about Bill Armfield and keep it to yourself
Jack Gibson has been a Natural Spitit Student since 1981 and received his 5th degree in 1996. Bill Armfield has been an active student since 1983. - Datu Kelly Worden
