The Special Kicks Program

Shortly after Pooler Karate opened its doors, owner and founder, Carson Fortner began to work with a little girl named Lilah. Lilah is partially blind, deaf, and was nonverbal at the time. After working with Pooler Karate she was able to walk and talk for the first time in her life.

This positive experience was eye-opening for the Pooler Karate team. This was the magic spark that eventually led to the creation of the Special Kicks Program, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Originally affiliated with Pooler Karate, Special Kicks is now expanding throughout the region and beyond. It’s a martial arts program that offers individualized instruction for kids and adults with special needs, such as autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, physical and cognitive disabilities, and other special diagnoses.

The program stresses development of balance, coordination, discipline, focus, attention, social skill development, and physical fitness. They also advocate for students and families, as well as promote inclusion throughout the community.

Special Kicks began partnering with B and B Care Services, Inc. to help pay for the cost of training for individuals who qualified for state funding. However, after Covid budget cuts in the State of Georgia, the funding for this program was cut by 40%. With 70 special needs students at the time, the school had to get creative and find a way to help fill this funding gap.

They created the award-winning Wild Game Dinner as a fundraiser. Their first dinner was held in December 2020. That year they raised about $50,000. Their goal was to double that amount for the event in December 2021, and they were successful. From 2021 on, The Wild Game Dinner has continued to be a sold-out event, bringing in more funding to support the growing program.

Special Kicks supports well over 100 families and continues to grow at a rapid pace. The program has recently expanded to offer support for wounded veterans under the “Rooster Project.”

 
The Special Kicks Program continues to grow under its mission to change lives through the power of martial arts, inspire lifelong change, build strength, and advocate for those with different abilities, regardless of physical, mental, or financial challenges. Families report that their students experience an increase in confidence and social skills, perseverance, integrity, respect, self-control, as well as strength, balance, and mobility. They also report a decrease in anxiety, depression, feelings of isolation, and emotional outbursts.

The program focuses on supporting the capabilities of all students, with flexible one-on-one and group class options depending on individual needs. There is also a Special Kicks Summer Camp every year that provides enrichment for students as well as non-students with special needs. This camp includes activities such as tie dye, pet therapy, bowling, sensory activities, and more.

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐊𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐨𝐧𝐞-𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐭 www.specialkicks.com.