‘You’re a ninja!’: How therapeutic martial arts is helping pediatric patients

Marianne Ogbonnaya experiences many satisfying moments while helping pediatric patients at area hospitals.

One of the most satisfying, though, happened earlier this month with a simple comment from a youngster.

“They said, ‘You’re a ninja!” Ogbonnaya said. “It felt so great to hear that.”

Ogbonnaya is part of a growing therapeutic martial arts program developed by the Kids Kicking Cancer’s Heroes Circle nonprofit organization. Therapists regularly visit pediatric units at Chicago hospitals such as Rush University Medical Center, Comer Children’s Hospital and University of Illinois Hospital.

“At first there’s some surprise and confusion,” Ogbonnaya said. “But there’s often an immediate response to what we’re doing. The results are pretty fast.”

With a reach in 21 states and 10 countries, Heroes Circle expanded this summer into the suburbs by adding Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield.

Ogbonnaya visits Central DuPage Hospital weekly, teaching breathing techniques, martial arts moves and meditation exercises to lower the pain and stress levels of children battling cancer or other chronic illnesses. The noncontact therapy is adaptable so any child can participate regardless of their physical abilities.

Officials at Central DuPage Hospital already have seen the difference therapeutic martial arts is making for young patients. The program is free for the children and their families.

“It’s really good just to get these kids moving, because what we find is they start to heal faster and really improve their health,” said Mia DeRoin, a Child Life Specialist at Central DuPage Hospital. “It also gives them coping tools for the future just in their daily life.”

Shaqueena McKinney of Batavia said her 15-year-old daughter, Kaleece, has benefited greatly from the therapeutic martial arts.

Kaleece endures chronic pain because of sickle cell anemia that’s forced her into numerous extended hospital stays throughout her life. But with the help of Ogbonnaya’s martial arts techniques, the pain and stress have become more manageable.

McKinney said she even joins her daughter in the exercises, both at Central DuPage Hospital and at home.

“It got (Kaleece) up moving around a little, and Marianne had a happy way about her that I think helped,” McKinney said. “The breathing exercises and the body exercises, it touched me. If it helps (Kaleece), that’s what I want.”

In addition to the inpatient care provided by Heroes Circle, the group also offers camps and therapeutic martial arts classes to help children, teens and young adults cope with the difficulties associated with chronic illnesses.

Kids Kicking Cancer was created in 1999 by Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg, a martial arts expert who discovered the benefits of the techniques through his daughter, who suffered from leukemia. Nearly 25 years later, the program has evolved with a team of therapists who are all black belts in various types of martial arts.

Information about the programs can be found at heroescircle.org.

“Any of the kids who are interested in continuing classes from the hospital, they can register with us,” said Leigha Shellhaas, the Chicago Program Coordinator for Heroes Circle. “We have some form of classes going on six days a week somewhere in the U.S.”

Ogbonnaya stays busy with her circle of hospital visits throughout the area.

“It’s something they can take with them,” she said. “It’s not just something in the moment. It will always be there.”