Meet Jeff Pfeiffer
Jeff Pfeiffer was born in the 1950’s in Pennsylvania and suffered from the severest form of cerebral palsy, leaving him with almost no control of his body or speech. Unfamiliar with his disease, rural doctors in his town misdiagnosed him as mentally ill and retarded. Unable to cope with Jeff’s spastic and unruly condition, his emotionally and physically drained mother sent him to live in a mental hospital in California.
Left alone in a hospital where he didn’t belong, Jeff had to endure physical and psychological abuse for 10 years as he was teased, bullied, and humiliated by other patients and even the staff, until a new nurse named Arlene realized that he wasn’t mentally ill, but suffering from severe physical disabilities. Arlene nurtured Jeff and eventually helped him to leave the hospital so he could begin living life on his own.
Outside the hospital, Jeff had to struggle to make a new life for himself. Still struggling with his enormous physical challenges, he found it difficult to find a job. He also continued to experience bullying and harassment — even becoming the victim of a robbery. Jeff sank into an alcoholic depression, sitting in his wheelchair at home, watching television.
In an attempt to help Jeff out of his depression and addiction, Arlene brought him to church where he met Pastor Dave. Pastor Dave gave Jeff a job at the church as a security watchman. This brought Jeff a new sense of acceptance and purpose, but there was still something missing.
Jeff’s favorite television shows were anything that had to do with the martial arts and his favorite actor was Chuck Norris. While riding the bus home from work one day, Jeff saw a karate school outside his window. Even though he loved karate he felt discouraged thinking, with his disabilities, he could never learn martial arts. Arlene and Pastor Dave convinced him he could do it, and the next day, they introduced him to a Kenpo Karate instructor, Coach Ken Kellogg. Pastor Dave convinced Coach Ken that Jeff had the heart of a warrior and that he would do whatever it took to succeed in the martial arts.
Jeff struggled at first to be a part of the class, but through hard work he was soon welcomed as a member of the Kenpo school’s family, and he and Coach Ken became close friends. Despite his seemingly insurmountable difficulties, with dedication and perseverance, Jeff finally earned his Kenpo Karate black belt!
Jeff’s fierce drive to succeed inspired him to compete in the world-famous International Karate Championships in Long Beach, CA. Despite many ups-and-downs and difficult training over many years, Jeff Pfeiffer finally won the Forms division the 2006 International Karate Championship and got to meet his hero, Chuck Norris.
In 2013, surrounded by 3,000 of his closest friends, Jeff Pfeiffer went to be with the Lord, but his inspiring life story continues to inspire thousands to overcome life’s hurdles and fight for their dreams.
The Jeff Pfeiffer Award at Kellogg’s American Kenpo Karate
The Jeff Pfeiffer Award is an annual award for students 17 and under. It is named in honor of Jeff Pfeiffer because he was an excellent representation of hard work and dedication. He worked full time as a Security Guard at Calvary Chapel, took classes 4 or 5 times a week and he put his ALL into learning everything to the best of his ability! He even donated his time to the community. This is the standard students receiving The Jeff Pfeiffer Award should aspire to.
One student is chosen to receive this award based on the following criteria: how well the student does at karate, how well they do at school, and for participation in Community Service. They need to show dedication at karate, work hard, and show much improvement. They must also be dedicated at school, work hard, and be a good example. The student that will receive this award must also be involved in community service. Overall, they must be the best representation of Kellogg’s American Kenpo Karate.