What led you to
taking that first IMPACT class?
I was a suburban girl living in the city and had
concerns about my safety. I wanted to be
able to fight back. I heard about personal security classes but also I heard
that most of them weren’t effective. When I heard that IMPACT was going to be
offered at the University of Chicago, I read about it and was impressed.
What do you recall
taking from that experience?
After IMPACT, I felt much better prepared. I was more
comfortable going to unfamiliar places and walking alone at night. My husband
came to the graduation and was thrilled when he saw me take down a mugger
faster than anyone else in the class.
I have never consciously used IMPACT, but one time I was
walking home alone at night and got a feeling that I was being watched. I
turned and saw a guy walking behind me. I walked faster, and turned to look
again and saw that he was closer to me. A university bus was up ahead and I
boarded it even though I didn’t know exactly where it was going. The guy watched
the bus take me away. I didn’t panic, I thought clearly, and I made a decision
about what to do to keep myself safe. What I learned from that experience was
even though my adrenaline was rushing through me, I was still thinking.
You took an advanced
course 4 years ago—what led you to taking that course and what did you get from
it?
It had been 23 years since I had done the Core Program and I
thought it was time to refresh my skills. Taking that class boosted my
confidence in my own preparedness. Even after 20+ years, I knew what to do. It also changed how I watch television. I now
get very annoyed when characters don’t use the skills I have to deal with
weapons like I’ve been taught. I also
get very annoyed when the good guys get up close to a bad guy, because I know
how the bad guy could take control of the situation. Still, I love being able to point out things
that Hollywood gets wrong.
Your daughter has
taken several IMPACT courses. What does it mean to you that she has had this
experience?
My daughter has taken three classes. It is huge for me as a
mom, knowing that when she is on her own—whether walking around by herself or
on a date—she can take care of herself.
What is something you
can say to others about IMPACT?
While taking the class, even though you know that the
scenarios are, in a sense, a “game,” they feel very real. The adrenaline gets
going like it is real. That means that by the end of a Core class, you have
defended yourself from attack many times. We know this kind of training works. I
could still take down a mugger after 23 years without doing anything to
reinforce the training I took during CORE.
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