Linda Grimm

The ride began at the 2000 NAPMA Conference in sunny Clearwater when my husband (now affectionately known as "Scary Harry") discovered his Missing Link in the form of FAST Defense. After talking with Bill about the program, he decided RMCAT was to be a priority for 2001. I'm a fairly confident person with no real questions as to whether or not I would fight back. I had a strong family background, am the oldest of 3 children, grew up in suburbia and married a caring, supportive man. I questioned my purpose for being at RMCAT.

My children Derek and Danielle discovered my purpose a few months later; then 19 & 14 years old. "Mom, you don't tweak out at us any more". The conditioning of my adrenaline response allowed me to react to the very trying teenage years with calm and rationale.

I am continually reminded of the impact FAST Defense has had on my life and sense of purpose when we receive the success stories of our students:

• Dex, the 7 year old FAST CATS Kids graduate who ran from the stranger at the campground that offered him money to help him load firewood.
• Pat, attendee of a free "Women's Safety Through Awareness" workshop who didn't get into the elevator, although it was 2 weeks before she figured out why; the man in the elevator didn't get off when it arrived at her floor, the top floor.
• Doug, the high school freshman who became sick at the thought of going to school because he was tormented by bullies. Doug now walks the halls confidently and has become a leader with his peers.
• And finally Danielle. Yes the same Danielle I wasn't tweaking out at anymore. At 14, she listened to her intuition and remembered her training when a 30-something man on a motorcycle began asking her inappropriate questions as she left the local movie theater. While this may seem a bit trivial, the incident happened less than a year after a local 16 year old girl was abducted and eventually found murdered. Molly didn't have the training Danielle had.

Our karate school, Holden Martial Arts has also been impacted by FAST Defense. Although prevention can be a hard sell to the general public, "it will never happen to me" syndrome, we have found that by including FAST Defense as one of the benefits in our premium priced Black Belt Champions Program we not only see an increase in revenue, but children and adults who make it a priority to attend the courses. We are able to serve our community with free lecture and workshops series that present portions (previews if you will) of FAST Defense - Bully Solutions and Stranger Awareness are the most popular. Fox News and WHDH TV both did features on our Bully Solutions this past fall as well as a 30 minute interview with the local cable TV host; the best advertising is free advertising.

I guess the purpose of spending those 5 chilly days in Lake George Colorado is becoming more clear every day.