COST:
1 person =$125/hr
2-4 people = $100/hr
For children 15 years-old and below, parents must stay on-site during the entire lesson
Note: All courses at UMA are Vaccination Mandatory (including all current boosters)
Rob Eis has created a specialized curriculum for those in the community with disabilities.
This program is for all levels and all ages. It was designed over 17 years of volunteer work at the Max Higbee Recreational Center in Bellingham, Washington, beginning in 2003. The Max Higbee Center is a local nonprofit organization that provides recreational opportunities to people with developmental disabilities. Rob routinely taught his adaptive Martial Arts and fitness class on weekend nights at their facility and also at the YMCA.
Rob customized his adaptive program for members with Down syndrome, those who are blind, autistic, in a wheelchair, developmentally delayed, are amputees, or have impaired mobility.
Based on his work in adaptive martial arts, The Volunteer Center of Whatcom County presented Rob with their “Volunteers with Heart” award in August 2014.
“<In 2014>This marks the 11th year that Martial Artist Rob Eis has volunteered to teach an adaptive martial arts class to our clients who have varying developmental disabilities. Rob, alongside his partner Kari Neumeyer, volunteer at least twice a month, bringing their expertise, equipment and passion for their sport and adapt it in a way where every one of our clients, no matter their ability level can thrive. I’ve personally watched as they’ve encouraged our members to push themselves out of their comfort zone in order for each of them to reach their goals. With Rob and Kari, our members’ disabilities are never a reason why they can’t do something. Instead of seeing the disability as an obstacle, they find a way to include everyone, and celebrate what they can do.”
~ Hallie Hemmingsen, Max Higbee Center Executive Director
“Since September 2003 Rob has volunteered his Saturday evenings to teach an adaptive martial arts class to the participants at the Max Higbee Center, a local nonprofit organization providing recreation opportunities to people with developmental disabilities in Bellingham. His dedication and enthusiasm for martial arts is evident in every class and interaction with the students. I appreciate his high expectations and discipline coupled with his ability to adapt his lessons to a wide scope of students all the while maintaining a sense of humor. It may not be hard to find a martial arts instructor with experience and dedication; however, you cannot find an instructor with more dedication than Rob. He offers his services to the community motivated by passion rather than financial gain without compromising the quality of his program.”
~ Nancy Bouscher, Director for The Max Higbee Center
The nonprofit organization is named for Western Washington University alum Max Higbee, who began his career at WWU in 1962 as an associate professor of education and eventually served as head of the special education program before retiring in 1987.
The following photos (courtesy of Malinda Warder/ WarderPhoto) depict Rob teaching his specialized program.
