North Augusta Man Doesn’t Let Cerebral Palsy Keep On Him The Mat

North Augusta, SC—It’s 12:30 and Jiu Jitsu class is in session at Gracie Barra CSRA, in North Augusta.

On the mat is Gene Gordy. Born with Cerebral Palsy, Gordy says he’s never let that stop him from living. “I was raised if you want to do something, you do it. The only thing that can stop you is you. My parents have really always encouraged me to pursue my goals,“ says the 37-year-old North Augustan.

Three years ago, Gordy saw a sign for a Jiu Jitsu gym and went to check it out. At the time, owner Joshua Miller was in a small space that was hardly wheelchair accessible. “He scared the heck out of me. He was in a wheelchair at the front door. He asked me if he could take it, and I thought to myself, well if he’s willing to put up with my limitations, I’m willing to put up with his.“

Since then, Gordy’s proven himself a serious student. “At one point, I wasn’t sure whether I could do this. It started off as an experiment, and it just grew.“

“I warned him, a lot of the moves I might teach, he might not be able to do. If he’s patient with me, and just does what he can do that i teach, then we could work something out. He did exactly that,“ says Miller.

“I just like that it provides you with a challenge in a safe and structured environment and you’re with friends,“ says Gordy.

Gordy finds ways to adapt moves and exercises in Jiu Jitsu and Cross Fit, a workout program, and make them work for him.

“People will look at him and think, ‘I better go easy on him,‘ and when they do, he usually catches them and chokes them. He is inspirational to everybody who meets him, but at the same time, he doesn’t want to be treated like someone special. He is one of us,“ says Miller.

Gordy found Jiu Jitsu after maxxing out at traditional physical therapy. And with every workout, every session, he’s reminding other to reach for their own personal heights.

“It’s pretty much our responsibility, with what God gave you to make the most of it, your mind, your body and your life,“ says Miller.

“I believe that you only get one time around, you have to make the best of it,“ says Gordy.

Last year, Gordy competed in the Pan-Am Games in California and brought home a medal.