On October 3, Ian Matuszak of New York received his blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, according to news reports.

Professional athletes have commended his achievements, saying it would be impressive for anyone to accomplish this goal; however, Ian had to break through even more barriers in order to win this victory. The 20-year-old suffers from cerebral palsy and was diagnosed with esophageal cancer during his training.

These setbacks didn’t slow Matuszak down, though. According to one of his instructors, Dave Patton, Matuszak trained twice a week before his diagnosis and competed in tournaments at various levels. Another trainer and black-belt fighter, Tony Quagliata, said, “He doesn’t use anything for an excuse… This young man fights obstacles every day. Things we take for granted Ian would love to be able to do.”

Matuszak’s supporters have remarked that he is a great ambassador for Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

At Driscoll Firm, our cerebral palsy lawyers believe that our clients who suffer from this muscle disorder can achieve great things, just like Matuszak, and we strive to help them along that path. If you or a loved one suffers from cerebral palsy as a result of a medical professional’s actions, call us today at (800) 900-7704 to discuss how we may be able to help you and your family recover.