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Kim Bower
 Visit Kim Bower's World (under re-construction)
In memory of Kim Bower
(Wareham, Massachusetts, USA)  

Kim Bower was awarded her Shinseido black belt on 20 June 2002 and was the first overseas member to achieve this.  Kim began her Shinseido training during January 1999.  Previously she had studied Tae Kwon Do for three years, before moving on to Yushinkai Karate and Kobudo, and then Taiji.  Kim had been studying these systems for over eight years.  Through correspondence with Roger Sheldon, Kim decided to learn the Shinseido system while simultaneously training in Yushinkai and Taiji.  In order to do this Roger had to send the text of the entire system to her, and she learned the old Shinsei Sho and Ni forms along with Shinzen from written notes.  At the same time, she made detailed notes on how to better describe the movements outlined in the written text.  She then sent Roger video material of her efforts so that he was able to correct mistakes.
 
Later Roger supplied pictures that helped Kim understand the system in greater depth.  In April 2001, Roger went to the USA and worked with Kim closely on further improving her rendition of the Shinseido system including the pairs exercises.  He visited Kim several times subsequently and was with her and her family when she passed away. 
 
It was through Kim's great efforts that the Shinseido remote learning programme was instituted and validated.   To learn a martial system this way was remarkably difficult, it took studious concentration, patience and great determination.  Kim had these qualities.  Today we have MPEG video that can be sent via e-mail but that was not available to Kim when she initially  learned the system.
 
In addition, Kim's profession had been assisting children with special needs in a regular education classroom in Marion for more than twelve years, and in order to further her understanding, she embarked upon a study of the Institute for Research into the Management of Aggression (IRMA) Project 5 management of challenging behaviour Peaceful Response System.  IRMA is the professional bodies training aspect of The Shindo Trust.
 
Like Tony sensei and Mike sensei, Kim became a valuable member of Shinseido and did not once falter in her consistent and unselfish input to the system.  She gave a great deal to the Shinseido system, particularly in terms of its philosophy.
During May of 2002, Kim was diagnosed as having Stage 4 adeno-carcinoma of unknown origin (an aggressive form of cancer).  Tragically, after a spirited struggle, she passed away on 1 December 2002 - although not without first seeing the birth of her first grand-daughter, Jamie. 
Kim will be missed by all those whose lives she touched, and will always be regarded as an essential part of Shinseido.  Kim now runs Tenshin dojo (Spirit in Heaven dojo) where, as she explained to me before she passed away, she would care for all the small children.