The martial arts have helped thousands of youngsters grow up stronger. For one 6-year old metro Atlanta boy, the journey began at the tender age of three.
As a newborn, Michael and Lisa Matesvac's third son, Evan, was wasn't lifting his head or moving like his brothers.
Doctors diagnosed Evan with Prader-Willi syndrome, a rare genetic defect. It meant Evan would grow up with weak muscle tone and almost no energy.
"It was a very grave diagnosis when we first got it," said Michael Matesvac.
Because kids with Prader Willi often crave food, raising their risk of becoming obese, Evan started physical therapy as a newborn in the neonatal intensive care unit at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.
"The first thing I said, was, 'Will I be able to play with him? Can I take him to the park with his brothers?' And when I knew that, I said, 'OK, I that's fine. I can work with whatever it is we have to deal with,'" said Michael Matesvac.
And for six long years, Evan has been dealing with it.
"He does so much, and he barely complains," Lisa Matesvac said.
Evan juggles six different sports and therapies at once and school. Going to Karate Atlanta in Dacula is the fun part, his parents said.
"We've been here since a week after Evan turned 3. Working hard. Trying to build that energy level, that coordination for him, that core body strength," Lisa Matesvac said.
When Evan joined the Tiny Tigers program he was so weak that he couldn't jump, or kick, but he kept coming and trying.
Evan became the first Tiny Tiger to earn a black belt.
It was a big moment for the 6-year old boy whose dad just wanted to him to be able to play.
"I'm not surprised, but I'm very excited, and I'm proud. He's been working continuously for 6 and a half years of his life. He's been working since he was born," said Michael Matesvac.
Evan comes from a family of taekwondo black belts. His mom has one. Both of his big brothers have one and his dad is on the brink of earning his black belt.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:28 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:28:40 GMT
Melanoma is considered the deadliest form of skin cancer. A veteran dermatologist says he used to see three to five melanomas a year. Now, he says, he sees that many in a week!
Melanoma is considered the deadliest form of skin cancer. A veteran dermatologist says he used to see three to five melanomas a year. Now, he says, he sees that many in a week!
Thursday, May 16 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-17 03:00:47 GMT
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows millions of American kids suffer from mental health problems. Experts believe as many as 20 percent of American children are affected.
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows millions of American kids suffer from mental health problems. Experts believe as many as 20 percent of American children are affected.
Thursday, May 16 2013 12:02 AM EDT2013-05-16 04:02:20 GMT
Hundreds of American troops have lost a leg or arm in Afghanistan because of improvised explosive devices or homemade bombs.
Hundreds of American troops have lost a leg or arm in Afghanistan because of improvised explosive devices or homemade bombs. It was 29-year-old John Kremer's job to find those hidden bombs, and safely destroy them. That's what the Buford man was trying to do, when one of them exploded right under his feet.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 6:42 PM EDT2013-05-15 22:42:54 GMT
"You're fired!" Those are two words you never want to hear from anyone, especially your own doctor. But that can happen when patients and physicians don't see eye-to-eye.
"You're fired!" Those are two words you never want to hear from anyone, especially your own doctor. But that can happen when patients and physicians don't see eye-to-eye.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 7:48 AM EDT2013-05-14 11:48:46 GMT
There are more than 31 million Americans enrolled in Medicare Part D. And according to a recent survey, more than a third are worried about prescription drug costs.
There are more than 31 million Americans enrolled in Medicare Part D. And according to a recent survey, more than a third are worried about prescription drug costs.
Monday, May 13 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-13 22:08:35 GMT
It was a risky delivery: a young mother who'd lost one baby at birth was delivering her second child by C-section.
It was a risky delivery: a young mother who'd lost one baby at birth was delivering her second child by C-section. She was surrounded by more than a dozen specialists and nurses. But this high stakes birth wasn't in a hospital operating room. It was at Zoo Atlanta.
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