Beating the odds.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited disease that causes progressive muscle deterioration and weakness. There is currently no treatment for the usually-fatal disorder. SMA Type I, the severest form, is the most common single genetic cause of death in infancy. Those affected seldom survive beyond age three. The next most serious level, SMA Type II, has less severe symptoms during early infancy, but gradually worsens. Most who have it do not reach their teens, though some live well into adulthood.

Lehi, Utah, resident David Lima was diagnosed with SMA Type II shortly after birth. Now 23 years old, he is confined to a wheelchair and might appear harmless and vulnerable. Yet be is anything but, thanks to his positive outlook and unremitting determination to overcome his condition through martial arts training.

A profile in Salt Lake City's Deseret Morning News for August 18th noted that the Brigham Young University student not only has "a keen mind and quick reflexes that include using his chair as a weapon, he's a black belt in the Japanese martial art of Ninjutsu." Lima, a political science major, was awarded his first-degree black belt on May 24th of this year after an arduous self-defense and skill test against Bill Atkins, a visiting Shihan (master teacher) from California. In the wake of their tussle, Atkins observed, "That kid's getting really hard to hit."

In the beginning, Lima practiced martial arts on his own, but his mother soon contacted Brett Boyack of Jasukai Martial Arts in Orem, Utah, and enrolled her son in Boyack's program. According to the July 10th New Utah, Boyack welcomed Lima, but realized that "it would be a challenge." The enthusiastic youngster eventually became his best student. "David's awesome," Boyack told New Utah. "He's got a great attitude and always puts forth 100 percent effort."

Lima has done much of his own research and training to adapt Ninjutsu to his wheelchair. Adept at anticipating an opponent's moves, he uses angles, timing, and distances to maneuver his body and wheelchair to protect himself. When New Utah asked if he could defend himself were he attacked, he wryly replied, "I think I could surprise someone."

Through arduous exercise, Lima has been able to strengthen his arm muscles, au amazing feat for someone afflicted with SMA. He has also developed the ability to use the many martial arts weapons he has collected over the years. In addition, Lima has learned the Japanese language, and is now studying Chinese, Thai, and Korean.

Lima hopes to start a Ninjutsu club at BYU and teach the technique to other wheelchair-bound students. He credits the martial arts for helping to strengthen his arms, torso, lungs, and heart, while increasing his confidence and giving him more freedom. He hopes to become a Central Intelligence Agency analyst, and believes his knowledge of martial arts will help him achieve that career goal.