A former Cabrini student and local veteran who lost his legs to a roadside bomb in Iraq had to learn how to walk again in 2006.
Now, nearly 20 years later, he has found new strength and freedom through Jiu Jitsu, a Japanese martial art that focuses on ground fighting techniques, reports Stephanie Stahl for CBS News Philadelphia.
Pisey Tan said Jiu Jitsu has given him a sense of normalcy and mental resilience.
After the incident in Iraq, it was difficult for him to get his life back together. Jiu-Jitsu has helped him mentally and physically.
“Yeah, I was angry. I was nuts, so I was a little crazy,” he said. “This sport gives me a sense of normalcy, being unstoppable.”
It’s helped him to keep going and keep on fighting.
A second man, Bristol Police Officer Mike Egan, who lost a leg in 2007 after being hit by a drunk driver, finds Jiu Jitsu helpful for physical fitness and for building confidence.
Both men recently trained together at The Vault in Morton.
The two have embraced the sport as a way to overcome their injuries and regain power and control in their lives.
Find out more about how Jiu-Jitsu has helped these two men at CBS News Philadelphia.
