An idea sparked when he saw many kids at his school being bullied. He wanted to do something to help. Having studied Martial Arts for half of his life and being a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, Patrick created a video, "The Bully Factor." The video presents strategies for handling both verbal and physical confrontations. He created different styles to teach kids techniques to defend themselves without harming an aggressor. Patrick states, "The most important thing is to not be an easy target for a bully. But, if you are confronted by a bully, one of the first things to do is try to draw attention to the situation. Tell them to STOP what they are doing loudly. Check your surroundings to see who can assist you."

    Patrick has taken over his old karate school and is now the chief instructor. He's also busy doing on-air-radio interviews, answering reporter questions for TV and magazines and reading fan mail. One letter that really sticks out in Patrick's mind is a letter from an autistic child telling him how much he enjoyed the video. He wishes he could take martial arts, but that his disability makes him uneasy in classroom settings. One weekend Patrick volunteered some of his time and worked with the child one-on-one. Another letter was from a parent that told them her son informed her that he had been a target of a bully on a bus. It wasn't until after her son watched "The Bully Factor" that he came forward. These are just two of many letters Patrick receives.

    This fall Patrick will be appearing in both the National Geographic Kids Magazine and Sports Illustrated Kids Magazine. A second video in the Best Defense Video Series called, "NOT ME" will be available in spring of 2005. For further information about "The Bully Factor", please go to the website www.revelationmartialarts.com If you would like to contact Patrick directly, you can at info@revelationmartialarts.com

    Patrick hopes that the video will be in libraries and schools across the country to serve as a tool for children to be educated. The bullying problem in school is rising. With Patrick's video, kids can learn how to protect themselves from being bullied and kids who bully others will realize what they are doing is wrong. Patrick often says, "It takes a bigger person to WALK AWAY from a fight, than to stay and fight." For a young boy like Patrick to be so motivated, determined and make a difference shows what a unique individual he really is.


- Kelly Kurowski, Associate Editor