Fighting For Autism- Voices For the Voiceless with Dwayne "The Titan" Smith

 

#VoicesForTheVoiceless

 

 

 

Voices for the Voiceless…

The idea of Voices for the Voiceless campaign, comes from Fighting For Autism USA, South Eastern Regional Director, Pro Wrestler, Personal Trainer and Part-time Ghostbuster, Dwayne “Titan” Smith.

“The idea of doing a Voice for the Voiceless campaign came from my son. He’s nonverbal and on the autism spectrum along with the combination of a situation close to my hometown.

There were 2 kids on the autistic spectrum being kept in a cage. This is beyond cruel it was unacceptable. They’re human beings and deserve to be treated as such. I was picking up a shirt order from Demingous Price for a wrestling event I had to do that night. I remembered a phrase that I had heard before “Voices for the Voiceless.” So I had a special shirt made for me that night and called the promoter, Tyler Gazaway, on my way to the arena and asked if I could speak on the microphone, he agreed that I could.

I stood backstage reading the article over and over becoming more and more furious. I gathered a few thoughts in my head and waited for my music to hit.
My music began to play, the crowd cheered and I hit the ring. Most of the time I walk around the ring, smiling, giving fist bumps/high fives but not this night. I went straight to the ring with a purpose. I hit all four corners raising my fist and began to tell the audience…

“Right down the road from this very arena there were two autistic kids found in a cage. Right down the road from here. I will NOT stand by and let this happen anywhere, anytime by anyone ESPECIALLY next to my hometown! I will be your voice. I will stand up for you. I will stand by you. I will be your voice for the voiceless!”

The crowd cheered and I came and wrapped my son in my arms. I began to order my shirts with the saying on the back. People immediately started asking what it meant and buying them in support of the cause”.

Dwayne has a heart of gold and when it comes to making a massive difference to those on the spectrum, he is definitely a man on a mission. Through building relationships with his local community and businesses, and actively involving those on the Autistic Spectrum has seen some absolute superstars on the Spectrum be given their chance to shine and also experience things in a setting that make those memories last a lifetime not just for them but also to their families too.

Dwayne, and our amazing friends at Valor Fights including Tim Loy Cutman Ambassador Mark Laws,went the extra mile to give Jayce Wisenhunt and his Dad a night to remember after Jayce’s chaperone wasn’t allowed to escorts him to his prom which led Jayce to leaving his prom upset, his chaperone was his sister who the school claimed was too old to attend, Jayce who is on the spectrum, was given the superstar treatment and Tim Loy awarded Jayce a belt of his own, Valor Fights have also gone on to become huge supporters of Fighting For Autism and have even hosted Fighting For Autism events, of where Dwayne is always there to raise a hand and raise awareness.

 Ahh, The Part-time Ghostbuster, Dwayne is a huge Ghostbusters fan, and recently along with some fantastic people had the very first sensory friendly screening of a movie in North West Georgia, USA and even attended the event in full Ghostbuster attire.A wonderful time was had by all, and the man we know as “Titan” was at the front leading the charge.

 

On behalf of us all at Fighting For Autism we would like to say Thank You to everyone who is truly making a difference, we could not do it without you, huge Thank You to Dwayne “Titan”Smith for his help in today’s blog entry
 

#VoicesForTheVoiceless #DareToBeDifferent #FightingForAutism  #BeBrave #BeBold #BeKind #BeInspirational #BeYourself  #Wrestling #MMA #MuayThai #BJJ #Judo #Escrima #Boxing #Karate #TaeKwonDo #Capoeira #Ghostbusters #ValorFights #CarmikeCinemas 

 

Fighting with Autism and Shining through the Spectrum- Steve Borelli Jr

 

 

Ladies and Gentleman, allow us to introduce you to Steve Borelli Jr, who is a Fighting For Autism Fighter Ambassador from New York, USA.

Steve is a remarkable gentleman who's story encompasses the message of Fighting For Autism, highlighting that there so many positive stories of people who shine through the Autistic Spectrum particularly in the realms of Martial Arts and Boxing.

 

 

"My name's Steve Borelli. I was diagnosed with Autism in 1990 at age 5. Due to the side effects of ASD, I remained socially awkward.
Despite good study habits and hardwork, my grades in school were terribly low.

 

One thing that always kept me going was my love for Martial arts/combat sports(a love that my father also had his whole life) while in my 20s, I started formal training. I've always loved boxing, but Jiu Jitsu became my lifestyle. Martial arts training not only improved my health and fitness but other aspects of my life as well.

 

 

I was a volunteer firefighter for 4 years, I'm currently in school studying pharmacy, I'm involved in a self advocacy group where we learn to all sorts of social skills. Such as how to handle bullying at work, how to spot when people are trying to take advantage of us, and putting together fundraisers.

I've been training BJJ for 5 years now. The best part about this lifestyle is that my social skills have improved due to interacting with people at practice, event's, parties, etc".

 

 

Massive thanks to Steve Borelli JR for writing this entry for the Fighting For Autism Blog, we are so incredibly proud to have Steve as an Ambassador.

#DareToBeDifferent #LiveWithoutLabels #ShiningThroughtTheSpectrum 

 

 

 

 

The amazing side of Martial Arts, The Fighting Spirit Awards, celebrating diversity in Martial Arts

On October the 1st, a very unique awards ceremony took place in the United Kingdom, the awards known as the Fighting Spirit Awards, which were hosted by the Warriors Assemble, who are a collective of amazing martial artists who have chosen to highlight and celebrate some wonderful people involved in Martial Arts.
Tony and Sarah Pillage, along with professional Mixed Martial Artist Alex Reid resided over proceedings, and did an amazing job in every aspect.

Tony Pillage presenting the Fighting Spirit Awards

Honestly being asked to attend and listen to some of the most heart warming, inspiring and courageous insights into some remarkable martial artists who have overcome extraordinary odds was an honour in itself, and also emphasises the benefits not just of partaking in Martial Arts, but the sense of belonging to something very special and unique within some of the fantastic clubs that are out there.

Insights from a young gentleman called Callum Williams, who at a young age, had to have his feet amputated and is fitted with prosthetics, instead of sitting back, this amazing young gentleman not only took up Boxing and Judo, but is exceling in both, Callum has been working with the Adaptive Boxing Organisation, which is beginning to see adaptive athletes being able to compete in boxing events, the Adaptive Boxing Organisation (ABO) is headed by Colin Wood, who himself is battling a condition that is deteriorating his eyesight.

The inspiring act of courage and spirit shown by a young paramedic, who after having a heart attack, which had left him with confined to a wheelchair, through sheer determination and the love and support of his martial arts family, he was guided to his feet in order to accept his award, to a rapturous applause.
The young lady named Sam Morris who despite having global developmental delay that had gone on to thrive in Taekwondo being awarded by her coach Chris Jones, to the poignant gift of a coveted  belt to Robbie Hirst by Tony Bailey of Basingstoke Ju Jitsu Club, accompanied by the background on how that belt was earned and what it represents was incredible and emotional to listen to, Robbie had been nominated for the award by his coach and mentor, Richard Olpin of Ilyokwan Black Belt academy.

 Luis Coward and Gina Hopkins, who have thrived in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, show the positive steps made by martial artists and their clubs in working alongside some outstanding people and truly bringing the best out of the clubs, and those who train there, a very humbling and wonderful sight to see and be able to hear of so many fantastic people celebrating dedicated martial artists from their clubs at an event, that will hopefully go from strength to strength owing to how unique and special it was.

                                       The inspiring winners of the Fighting Spirit Awards 2016
Bethany Butler, Andrei Lazar, Alex Patterson, Casey Leigh-Statham, Callum Williams, Mohammed Afzal, Christine Batcheler, Chris Bird, Mark Brown, Andrew Burt, , Paul Coleman, Paul Couldrey, Luis Coward, Kevin Fitzgerald, Santosh Gurang, Robbie Hirst, Carl Hodgetts, Gina Hopkins, Mike Kilbane, Dave Lee, Sophie McCarron, Mandi Miles, Sam Morris, Lee Myring, Claire Payne, Gary Povey, Martin Ridley, Aaron Stevens, Ben Stevens, Connor Stokes, Colin Wood,

Tony Pillage, himself who is a coach ambassador for Fighting For Autism, gave a phenomenal account of his battle against cancer, putting into words the amount that this gentleman does for others through Martial Arts, is so hard to  do as he does so much, his wit captivates those listening, Tony himself is a man who defies the odds on a daily basis, Tony has gone on to present on radio and also write an autobiography called "Breaking Bob" ( Bob being the name given to the cancerous tumour by Tony)

From hearing feats that defied the odds, being in the presence of so many awe inspiring people really was a humbling experience, each and every award given had the "WOW" factor, and it really did highlight one thing and that is the fundamental importance in how much of a difference can be made with the right encouragement and application, each and every award given was so very much deserved, this event really did give some remarkable people their chance to shine, people with life changing adaptions but with one of the most positive mental attitudes, that really did make any issues prior seem to bade into insignificance, the amount of support offered by renowned martial artists towards Fighting For Autism was amazing. and with our amazing friends at Immortal 365 Martial Arts Academy in Peterborough and some other outstanding martial artists , we hope to be working on something rather special in the early New year...we will keep you posted ;-)

          Fighting For Autism was extremely honoured in receiving an award that evening too.

Fighting For Autism was founded by Christian Mitchell over in Australia, Brian Higginbotham in the USA and the addition of some amazing people involved in Martial Arts around the world, we have been so fortunate to be able to help raise Autism Awareness and actively involve those on the Autistic Spectrum as well as their loved ones and carers in awareness campaigns, meet and greet sessions with some amazing martial artists, to each and every Ambassador, club and promotion, whose kindness towards us has spoken volumes, to each and every Facebook or Instagram like, or retweet on Twitter, to every reader of a blog where we have been featured you are what makes Fighting For Autism what it truly is and you are the ones who carry the message of hope and bring the brighter day for so many, we wont ever be able to thank you enough.

Paul and Fighting For Autism Fighter Ambassador and Host of the Fighting Spirit Awards Alex Reid

A Huge Thank you to Peter and Beth Holmes, Karl Butcher and Magda from Immortal 365 in Peterborough, UK, Peter presented a very humbling award to Paul, Head of Operations for Fighting For Autism ( Europe), again without the support of so many wonderful people making Fighting For Autism what it is, it wouldn't be possible.
Christian Mitchell founder of Fighting For Autism over in Australia whose idea is gaining momentum worldwide with the assistance of some absolutely amazing people.
And last but by no means least Tony and Sarah Pillage, Alex Reid and everyone in attendance at the Fighting Spirit Awards, THANK YOU, your kindness and inspirational insights are the things that legends are made of, We truly hope that these awards grow and grow, with more people becoming part of something that is truly special.



Meanwhile  in the USA...... Head of Operations. Brian Higginbotham was inducted into the Horizon FC Hall of Fame, Brian who was in the cage with owners Aceamous Anderson and Shaun Scott, Brian was pleasantly surprised to be presented with his own Horizon FC Belt, by Regional Director Dwayne "The Titan Smith" who may be one of the hardest people to hide out of sight in order to surprise someone. Congratulations Brian, and Thank you to everyone at Horizon FC, and of course Dwayne "The Titan " Smith

Dwayne "The Titan Smith", Aceamous Anderson, Mark McLean, Brian Higginbotham, Shaun Scott and Jeralyn Spear.