"It doesn't matter if you're disabled or abled, you can do it"

Santiago Osuna sounds like any other kid in Karate class. But the 10-year-old from Calgary has one unique characteristic that separates him from his teammates – he has cerebral palsy.

 

That means he moves a little slower, and can’t kick as high as most other kids in his class. Yet, he is determined to still make a mark. "Disability barely means anything," he says.

 

Despite his physical challenges, he has still been able to obtain an orange belt.

 

"Orange belt means you are in third level, so I’m in third level," he proudly explained.

Much of his success has been because of the support from his fellow classmates like Andres Gomez, who is also a friend.

 

"He doesn't quit because he's disabled — he just keeps going and going," Gomez explained.

 

Osuna says he’s competing next month in the U.S. where he’ll fight in a division for people with disabilities. Canada doesn’t have a similar category, but Osuna says he would still like to see other kids with physical disabilities join up.

 

"It doesn't matter if you're disabled or abled, you can do it," he says.

 

Source: www.cbc.ca/news/