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Man with cerebral palsy to get his black belt in martial arts

After more than 20 years of determination and dedication in martial arts, Will Jenkins is about to get his black belt in martial arts. He will be the first person in his special needs class to achieve this.

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – Even the people who live near this strip mall in St. Charles County, have come a long way.

Inside one storefront is Ohana Martial Arts and the Kajukenbo class.

"It's actually the first American martial art," explains owner Ken Sills.

But what makes this class unique is not the strength you can see but the kind you can't. You see, most of these students have a disability.

"Autism, Down syndrome, Spina Bifida," Sills said.

"It teaches you how to overcome things. Things we take for granted. It makes you tougher," student Will Jenkins said.

For the 39-year-old Jenkins, obstacles are just stepping stones.

Jenkins has a wife, a full-time job and cerebral palsy. Taking martial arts was a form of therapy.

"When I first started my balance wasn't that good. I was still recovering from a major operation that I had, "Jenkins recalled.

But to keep growing, he kept going thanks in part to the voice in his head.

"My late brother. He passed away in 2007," Jenkins said.

His brother Matthew, a Marine, was killed in Iraq.

Now, after 21 years of dedication and determination, Will is on track to become the first person from this class to get his black belt.

"He's done a lot of things that I think people may have been surprised at and that's because he pushes himself and works and works and works until he gets it," instructor Charlie Walton said.

"What do you think it will mean to you when you finally get that black belt?," we asked Jenkins.

"Oh a lot," he said. "And I'm trying to hold back tears."

A martial arts class that believes if it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you.

"For someone to love it that much, it's a big part of my heart," Sills said.

On Monday nights, instead of disabilities, the focus is on possibilities.

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