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Please join us for our twice-monthly Let’s Support Each Other Zoom Sessions hosted by the Pacific Training Centre for the Blind (PTCB).
When: this Thursday, February 13, at 10 am
We are so happy to welcome our guest speaker Johnny Tiger who will be talking to us about martial arts and self defence from the perspective of a blind person.
If you have any questions about our Let’s Support Each Other virtual sessions, please contact our program coordinator, Nancy Gill at 604-999-0233 or [email protected]
More about Johnny
Johnny Tiger, also known as Johnny Tai, is a remarkable martial artist, self-defense instructor, and tactile artist based in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. He is widely recognized for his efforts in empowering visually and hearing-impaired individuals and challenging societal perceptions about disabilities. Here are some key details about him:
1. Early Life and Background
• Johnny became blind at the age of three and completely deaf in one ear within a year due to complications from Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.
• He grew up in Taiwan until the age of nine before immigrating to Canada with his family.
• His multicultural heritage—Chinese, Taiwanese, and Canadian—deeply influences both his artistic and advocacy work.
2. Martial Arts and Self-Defense Expertise
• Johnny has trained extensively in martial arts and is a medal-winning representative for Canada in self-defense tournaments.
• He teaches free self-defense workshops tailored for blind and visually impaired individuals, equipping them with practical, realistic techniques for safety and confidence.
• His instruction focuses on adapting martial arts to meet the needs of people with disabilities, ensuring accessibility and effectiveness.
3. Artistic Contributions
• Johnny is an accomplished tactile artist, creating works designed to be experienced through touch. His art often features themes of identity, accessibility, and the blending of Eastern and Western cultural influences.
• Notable projects include the “Language of Love” series, which explores themes of love and intimacy among people with disabilities, and the Zodiac Series, which raises awareness about multiculturalism and equality.
• His art is crafted with the intention of breaking barriers and encouraging deeper understanding of the experiences of people with disabilities.
4. Advocacy and Community Work
• Johnny is a passionate advocate for disability rights and inclusivity, challenging stereotypes about what people with disabilities can achieve.
• His workshops and public engagements aim to empower others, showing that individuals with disabilities are equally capable in fields ranging from self-defense to the arts.
• He also addresses misconceptions about disabled people’s emotional and social lives, particularly around their capacity for love and intimacy.
5. Personal Resilience and Legacy
• Despite losing his sight and hearing at a young age, Johnny has demonstrated incredible resilience, excelling in multiple disciplines and inspiring others through his achievements.
• His platform, www.johnnytiger.com, showcases his art, advocacy, and ongoing projects.
Johnny Tiger continues to be a trailblazer in promoting accessibility, equality, and empowerment, proving that physical limitations are no barrier to extraordinary accomplishments.
Zoom Info
Elizabeth Lalonde is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Let's Support Each Other Meeting Time: Feb 13, 2025 10:00 AM Vancouver Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87906930174?pwd=EfwegKOFrsIojHsKNAiIB0GObWjBSa.1
Meeting ID: 879 0693 0174
Passcode: 121555 ---
One tap mobile +12042727920,,87906930174 #,,,,*121555
Canada +14388097799,87906930174 #,,,,*121555
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