On a sunny Wednesday afternoon, the three Crick brothers pull into Rudy Rogers’ driveway for one of their weekly karate lessons. This week, Rogers decides to start kata exercises — showcases of form — with Alexander.
“You’re up first this time, Big A,” Rogers says.
Without hesitation, Alexander, who has cerebral palsy, ditches his walker and breaks into his routine on a patch of gnarled dirt. The effort he’s making shows in his facial expressions as he powers through his move set, eventually coming to a finish and ending with a high five from Rogers.
Karate may be one of the last activities one would expect a person with cerebral palsy to do. But, there’s Alexander, doing his thing in plain view in Rogers’ backyard — without ever thinking about his physical limitations.
“I don’t think I think anything when I’m doing these things,” Alexander says. “I just do them. It’s kind of starting to become second nature.”
The Cricks — a set of triplets — have been attending Rogers’ school with their father for the past month. All seniors at Strawberry Crest, the boys wanted to learn the art of self-defense. Rogers, sensing good potential, was eager to train them in his “old-school” outdoor space.
“That’s the thing about 17-year-olds — they’re real malleable,” Rogers says.
Jonathan — the oldest by about a minute — and Nathaniel are in it to learn self-defense techniques. The soft-spoken brothers differ in style. Jonathan’s form is a little more refined. But, Nathaniel has the uncommon physical tools Rogers likes. This includes a seven-foot wingspan.
Alexander, on the other hand, uses karate as a form of physical therapy. He and his family have tried many different forms of physical rehab over the years, working with doctors in air-conditioned facilities, but they had never tried anything like karate before.
The boys’ father, Dominique, always wanted to take lessons with his sons, and the boys were ready to learn, so they linked up with Rogers. It took a little while for their mother, Vera, to get on board, but, once she saw a lesson for herself, she was pleased with the program.
“When I did bring them myself, I sat here and watched what they were doing,” Vera says. “(Rogers) actually was able to put in some one-on-one time with Alexander. … That actually makes me feel better — like he’s able to get something that I’m not actually able to give him.”
Vera also liked that Rogers is knowledgeable in the area of physical therapy. Alexander’s cerebral palsy is spastic, meaning that his muscles are naturally far stiffer and tighter than those of someone without it. This has taken a toll on his joints, and he requires a walker to move around.
Physical therapy has helped Alexander in the past, but he says he feels even better now that he’s training outdoors with Rogers.
“This is natural air, and I kind of get more air out of this,” Alexander says. “A lot more air. It just feels great being out here.”
Armed with a degree in health and physical education from Colorado State University, Rogers already knew exactly what stretches would help loosen Alexander’s muscles and allow him greater control of his body. It’s been a month, and Alexander can bail on the walker to go do his kata, punch the heavy bag, throw kicks at Rogers’ blocking pad and more.
“His range of motion has increased somewhat, and it’s only three days a week that we’re able to bring him here,” Vera says. “He is doing better, and he feels more confident. It’s really good for him to be able to do something that his brothers are doing.”
Alexander isn’t just in it for the physical benefits. Late last year, he lost his wallet — with his driver’s license in it — and had to apply for a new one. When he went to take the test, he was hit with some bad news.
“My instructor told me that I had to strengthen my core,” he says.
His goal is to be able to get his driver’s license back before the end of the school year, and that will require him to become a little stronger.
“This really helps me strengthen my core, so that I can get my license quicker,” he says.
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
WHAT’S IN A NAME
Rudy Rogers always gives each of his students a nickname, and the Crick boys were no exceptions.
Jonathan, the oldest, is called the “Quiet Storm,” because he’s soft-spoken but has shown a natural talent for karate.
Nathaniel, the biggest, is called “Stretch,” because he’s tall, with long arms and legs, and is still growing. And, as his brothers remind him, he sometimes stretches the length of their classes.
Alexander is called “Big A,” because, as Rogers said, he’s got a “big heart.” Of the three, he’s the most likely to speak up and coach his brothers when they make a mistake, and his drive to succeed knows no boundaries.