Summary by Michael Schwartz
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Let us introduce you to
an amazing man --
Ron Scanlon,
a Master Black Belt. But Ron's no ordinary Master Black Belt; he's overcome one of the worst traumas imaginable. We talked to Ron at his studio in West Los Angeles, where he is a teacher of an ancient discipline from the far East. It's not what you see in the movies, this is real self defense. It's called Kung Fu San Soo, which is a fighting art, as opposed to a competitive sport, unlike other martial arts. But there's more to the art and to Ron than first meets the eye...



The art of Kung Fu San Soo, as demonstrated by two of Ron's students, is an ideal fighting technique because it incorporates everything useful from the other martial arts. Unlike the TV movie Kung Fu where fights can go on for several minutes, real San Soo fights are designed to be over within 5 - 7 seconds, after an application of carefully targeted force. It is based on a deep understanding of biomechanics and anatomy practiced over and over until it becomes innate.

Students learn how to protect themselves from all kinds of would-be attackers, whether unarmed, or carrying weapons. Ron teaches with hands on demostrations and step by step instructions. While it is commendable that he has built such a respectable school and a loyal following students, it is remarkable that Ron has done so without the use of his legs. One of Mr. Scanlon's students: "When I first saw Ron, I didn't even see the wheelchair. I just thought , 'he was sitting in a chair.' -- Until I saw him MOVE....then I was intimidated..."

When Ron was nine, he was in an auto accident that injured his spinal cord and confined him to a wheelchair. However, he did not let this stop him from achieving his dreams.

"We all suffer from traumas, maybe its a disability, maybe its a divorce maybe its losing a family member but at some point when you get through the grief you have to wake up and say 'time to get on with my life!'"

Through courage and hardwork, Ron has succeeded in overcoming his obsticles. Moving beyond what life threw at him, which many would call disabling, Ron has not only become a master of movement, but also teaches others this amazing art -- Ron is a truly inspiring person.