Teaching an 85-year-old woman to defend herself from a possible attacker was a new sight and lesson for Taft Spence.
The master of Karakido Karate in Springfield recently opened his studio to a senior citizen seeking to protect herself through self-defense.
"She called me and told her I absolutely have no problem with it. I was very pleased when she came in and asked questions on why she was doing things," Spence told NewsChannel 5.
Martha Gleerup wanted to take the proactive step after moving to Springfield from Cross Plains.
"I moved from the country to the city, and it's a little bit more of a dangerous feeling. It may not be, but it feels like it," said Gleerup.
Her experience resembled any other self-defense classes with a variety of twists, pushes, and hits. Despite her age, the classes made Gleerup feel more confident about herself.
Don’t mess with her. After requesting a Springfield instructor to teach her self defense classes, Martha Gleerup now encourages her peers to do the same. @NC5pic.twitter.com/ch4HpS8Ljr
— Matthew Torres (@NC5_MTorres) December 14, 2017
Gleerup saw herself as bashful growing up but has learned to come out of her shell through self-defense and faith in God
"I don't feel 85 in my heart. I'm still young, and I can do whatever the Lord directs me to," she added. "I feel more confident. I may not win, but I will sure try."
A recent report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics stated that rates of nonfatal violent crime and property crime against elderly persons were lower than those of younger person.
Nonfatal violent crime included rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault.
In addition, elderly homicide rates declined 44 percent from 3.7 homicides per 100,000 persons in 1993 to 2.1 per 100,000 in 2011.
Regardless of numbers, Gleerup wanted to encourage her fellow peers to seek a self-defense class.
Spence was a former officer and knows that the elderly can be the most vulnerable target of crime.
"There's a need for their safety. They don't feel safe going out in the community to various places night or day," said Spence.
Spence taught her how to use simple items like a water bottle or key on an attacker.
He has continued to teach larger self-defense classes specifically for elderly men and women since his first encounter with Gleerup earlier in 2017.
He has planned more classes in the near future.
Contact Karakido Karate at 615-609-1332 to learn more information.
