Victim of Violent Attack Starts Self-Defense Class
By: Tyler Thomason, KNWA
Updated: August 21, 2012
"If I would've known what I know now, I wouldn't have been hurt."
Kyra Fleming wants to pass along some tips she wished she knew months ago on how to protect yourself.
"I was attacked in February and I don't want it to happen to another woman," she says.
Now, she's turning her misfortune into motivation.
"After being attacked, it just leaves you feeling helpless, and like a victim. I don't want anyone to feel like that again."
While on a weekend trip to Eureka Springs, Kyra suffered a concussion after being violently beaten by a male attacker. Just a couple days later, she told her husband, John, that she wanted to put together a women's self-defense class.
His reaction?
"Total support for it," says John Fleming. "I think it's every eight minutes someone is assaulted, a female is assaulted. There's probably equally as much or more that never gets reported."
Together, the couple is looking to change that. The Flemings recently opened up "Thor's Firearms" in Rogers, originally intended for recreational shoppers. But after Kyra's attack, it's all about those shopping for self-defense.
"We definitely want to make this into a facility where you can learn to protect yourself, your family," John Fleming says.
A place to get prepared.
"I thought that maybe if I started helping people, that it would help me," says Kyra. "I don't want someone else to go through that."
Kyra Fleming wants to pass along some tips she wished she knew months ago on how to protect yourself.
"I was attacked in February and I don't want it to happen to another woman," she says.
Now, she's turning her misfortune into motivation.
"After being attacked, it just leaves you feeling helpless, and like a victim. I don't want anyone to feel like that again."
While on a weekend trip to Eureka Springs, Kyra suffered a concussion after being violently beaten by a male attacker. Just a couple days later, she told her husband, John, that she wanted to put together a women's self-defense class.
His reaction?
"Total support for it," says John Fleming. "I think it's every eight minutes someone is assaulted, a female is assaulted. There's probably equally as much or more that never gets reported."
Together, the couple is looking to change that. The Flemings recently opened up "Thor's Firearms" in Rogers, originally intended for recreational shoppers. But after Kyra's attack, it's all about those shopping for self-defense.
"We definitely want to make this into a facility where you can learn to protect yourself, your family," John Fleming says.
A place to get prepared.
"I thought that maybe if I started helping people, that it would help me," says Kyra. "I don't want someone else to go through that."
Comments
Striving to help women like Kyra. Damsel in Defense is all about empowering, educating and equipping women with life saving products. We are trying to get these products out to every woman in the US. We need to bring those national statistics down. Anyone who may be interested in more information please contact me at damselpro.leah@gmail.com or visit https://www.facebook.com/Independent.Damsel.Pro.LeahMendoza.921
Leah M.
August 24, 2012 at 7:47 pm
Striving to help women like Kyra. Damsel in Defense is all about empowering, educating and equipping women with life saving products. We are trying to get these products out to every woman in the US. We need to bring those national statistics down. Anyone who may be interested in more information please contact me at damselpro.leah@gmail.com or visit https://www.facebook.com/Independent.Damsel.Pro.LeahMendoza.921
Leah M.
August 24, 2012 at 7:47 pm
Striving to help women like Kyra. Damsel in Defense is all about empowering, educating and equipping women with live saving products. We are trying to get these products out to every woman in the US. We need to bring those national statistics down. Anyone who may be interested in more information please contact me at damselpro.leah@gmail.com or visit https://www.facebook.com/Independent.Damsel.Pro.LeahMendoza.921
Leah M.
August 24, 2012 at 7:46 pm
That's admirable Kyra, but I don't quite see how you can start a self-defense training without having prior training which can take a long time. I put my 7 year old daughter in the ATA Taekwondo classes for College Preparation and she just left for UA Fayetteville last week. She's now a 4 degree black belt, and certified adult instructor, taught for the last 4 years and 1st place winner in the world tournament downtown every year. I don't worry about her at all and do my best to encourage all mothers of kids to start them early for a long term protection program. This nation is no longer safe.
David B.
August 21, 2012 at 11:59 am
Well, sorry. Didn't mean to post twice... Was just trying to correct my typos.
Kay t.
August 21, 2012 at 8:34 am
Did they find the person who did this to you? I live there part-time and I had not heard about it. People walk there a lot... In remote areas of town. This is scary...
Kay t.
August 21, 2012 at 8:33 am
Did the find the person who did this to you? I live there part-time and I had not heRd about it. That is scary... People walk there a lot in remote parts of town.
Kay t.
August 21, 2012 at 8:31 am
