[Partners]

of her identity in the community, I felt compelled to share her inspiring story with you all.

“Black Belt Granny” as she’s known by friends and associates, has been around Adlandpro for a while now, participating in some of the community’s activities but still going through our system here. At 64 Karen overcame Cancer and other life-threatening illnesses to become a taekwondo black belt. A rare feat you’ll agree with me!!

Many thanks to Karen for sharing this timeless story with us in the forum.

It is a lovely AOV.  Please enjoy.

My name is Karen and I am called Black Belt Granny. I am a Black Belter and I started taekwondo at age 64 and got my first Black Belt at 66, I am now going for my second Black belt.

Before I went into martial arts, 8 people in my family died of cancer including my husband, mother, father, husband and two brothers - one at 53 and one who died last year on Thanksgiving Day at 67; also I now have two cousins with cancer now. I stayed with and took care of my father, mother and husband with cancer. I was with all of them when they died.

Personally, I have had 5 biopsies and have twice been found with new cancer in my colon but got them out each time. Presently I get checked every two years and treated if necessary. 
All the time I was sick it was a terrible situation. At a time I had to have a Stent put into my heart. It was 95 percent blocked and since them I have had another one put in and was also blocked. So I guess I am here for a good reason. By February 22, 2009 I turned 69 years and I believe this is a rare feat.

Of all these, never doubt Karen Gigikos’ ability to defend herself, Black belt granny is hale and heart and as fit as a fiddle. Do not sneak up on her from behind or you might find yourself lying flat on your keister – or worse yet, with karate chop to the neck. 

I do a lot of practicing on taekwondo, and hapkido. There are two videos of me breaking boards on Google, also some self defense and also weapons.

www.abcnewspapers.com also has this. They were recently at my place for about three hours taping me.

I sing karaoke and also fly a plane on the flight simulate-x. My master martial teacher is a pilot and is teaching me how to fly. I make silk flowers; in fact I made some of my kids wedding flowers.

At times I paint. Please look on http://celebritytreasures.cartfly.com. I have never taken a painting lesson in my life but it was my late brother that died on thanksgiving who told me a while back to start painting because all four of my brothers could paint and I remembered that I always got an “A” in art while in school. So when my husband died I started painting and this is it. 

I am still trying to get over 11 people dying of cancer in my life in the last 5 years though this is hard to take.

I work on the internet on a business I am trying to get going.

In Adlandpro my best friend is Stephan ChuckNorris Stenzel. One of the pictures here shows the winners on the last tournament and I won 9 trophies. Chuck Norris, my Master, was taught by Ji Han Jae who fought Bruce Lee in the movie - the game of death.

Thank you very much.

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