From the Sensei
by Fran Turner
Keener Award
His frequent and regular attendance alone might be reason enough to choose Joseph Shaw for
the Keener Award. Or the fact that he started aikido at an age when others of his vintage are more
likely to choose something less scary or demanding. Despite the major aches and pains every day
after practice during his first year of training, he persisted — that might be a reason. Or
because he is one of those people willing to take on helpful but unglamorous responsibilities, such
as dojo clean-up.
But here is the real reason Joseph has been selected for this award: in mid-heart attack, being rushed by ambulance to Mount Sinai Emergency, he demanded to know from the paramedic, "Will I still be able to practice aikido?" The paramedic couldn't answer at that point — it was too soon to know.
Less than two months later, all of us were happy to see Joseph back on the mat, practicing with a gentle exuberance to help heal his rehabilitating heart.
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