Additional information
by Mark Kelland (Illustrator), Melissa Ranahan (Illustrator)
The field of psychology has a long history of addressing diversity, but people with physical disabilities remain an overlooked group. Worse, the disabilities usually mentioned in psychology courses are learning disabilities, adding to the stigma that all people with disabilities are mentally impaired. This book contains literature reviews on the psychology of people with physical disabilities, Buddhist mindfulness of body, and the application of mindfulness to martial programs designed for people with disabilities. The author spent two weeks at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies in Massachusetts, and visited martial arts schools in Maine, Illinois, North Carolina, Nevada, and Ontario. He earned 'Advanced' rank in the American Cane System, a Black Belt and instructor's license in Defense-Ability, and certification in the C.R.I.T.I.C.A.L. Approach(TM). The book concludes with brief sections on positive psychology and resources for martial artists with physical disabilities.
Author Biography
Mark Kelland, Ph.D. is a professor of social science at Lansing Community College in Michigan. His interest in the psychology of disability, Buddhist mindfulness, and martial arts for people with physical disabilities is based on his own experience. He has a 2nd degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, a black belt and instructor's certificate in Defense-Ability (International Disabled Self-Defense Association), holds advanced rank in the American Cane System (Cane Masters International Association), and is certified in the C.R.I.T.I.C.A.L. Approach to teaching martial arts to people with disabilities (Natural Motion Martial Arts). He also has two artificial hips. Recently, Dr. Kelland established Real-Life Self-Defense, LLC to provide martial arts training to people with disabilities in Michigan.
