Caroline
Caroline joined the CSI family in 2001. Caroline has Prader-Willi Syndrome and, as a result, has Type II diabetes as well. When she joined CSI, she weighed 185 lbs which, given the very short stature of persons with her disability, placed her at risk.
Through diet and exercise, Caroline has achieved a goal weight of 105 pounds and is in control of her diabetes.
In early 2005, Caroline began to explore her interest in taking a Karate class as a form of self-defense. She researched different classes through the County Parks and Recreation catalogue and chose a class meeting weekly.
She began her first class on April 5, 2005. Shortly after beginning the class, she received a white belt on May 2, 2005. As time passed, she began to show improvement in her memory and social skills when she would learn many different forms, kicks, punches, and stances according to belt level.
On November 5, 2005, Caroline again tested with the display of fighting stances and forms to receive the next level of mastery, the gold belt.
On June 18, 2006 Caroline entered a Master’s Cup Karate tournament, where she won first place in her division of routine forms. Caroline has shown independence while attending Karate class when she leads the class with warm up routines, as well as when she decides independently that she is ready to sign up for testing.
On May 20, 2006 Caroline again mastered the next level to receive a green belt. At this point, she is to the level that sparring is taught and executed. Through time, Caroline has exhibited growth in her interpersonal skills and independence by taking Karate class.
Caroline’s ultimate goal is to reach the highest level of mastery at the black belt level. We are all looking forward to that day and share her confidence that it will come.