Cane-fu teaches senior citizens self defense moves

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Senior citizens in Florida are using their canes for more than walking. They are learning how to use the item they thought was a crutch as a weapon.

It's part of a martial arts class called "extreme cane defense" or cane-fu. The instructor, Buck Buckmaster, teaches his students how to use their cane to defend themselves.

Many seniors in the class say they've also learned to be more aware of their surroundings.

"Every time I come out of the grocery store, I use my peripheral vision. You never know who's going to be there," one cane-fu student said.

"I love life and I want to be around a while," grandmother Alice Hays said.

Buckmaster said he started the class after his 69-year-old mother was beaten and robbed and doesn't want anyone else to go through that terrible experience.