We received a flyer in the mail in May of 2009, advertising for Park's Tae Kwon Do enrollment. It was $99.00 down, which included a uniform. 100% of the proceeds went to the American Cancer Association. My husband and I thought that was just wonderful since he was just diagnosed with an Aggressive Stage 3 Astrocytoma Glioma Brain Tumor 8 months prior to this flyer. We decided to see if our 8 year old son, Kyle, would be interested in joining. Kyle was extremely happy about the idea.
Three months after our son joined, "Master P." asked to set up a meeting with my husband and myself. We stayed after class with our three children for a meeting. Make a long story short, "Master P." wanted us to pay $6,999.00 right then for our son, Kyle to become a black belt. We were stunned! Master P. informed us we could pay it all in full or in payments. We then explained that we could not afford all that money, who could? Master P. said we could just put it on a credit card.
We explained to him that we had several bills from my husbands two major surgeries. He was not happy at all. We also explained to him that many things could change over 3 years. What if something happened to my husband? What if my son decided he was not interested any more? What if the business closed down? To many things to think about. Who would just pay all that money? It just was not right. He said he would give us a couple of months to think about it.
In the mean time, our daughter Kassidy wanted to join also. She was able to join for $99.00 a month also, with no contract. Kyle and Kassidy both love it. My husband just finished his Chemo two nights ago, but wanted to take them to Tae-Kwon-Do last night. Well "Master P." decided to call my husband into their new conference room. I guess it did not go well at all. Master P. brought out the old paper with all the same numbers on it from 5 months ago. My husband explained to him that "Master C." who is a step below Master P., told my husband he would make things work for us, considering our circumstances and he knows how dedicated our son Kyle is. "Master P." said he had to do what he needed to do.
My husband began to get upset and asked him about him donating the first tuition to the American Cancer Association. Kyle said to him, " If you care so much, here I am, why won't you help me out? I have a brain tumor, and I just simply can't afford much more than the $200.00 a month that I am already paying for Kassidy and Kyle. He had the nerve to tell my husband to kick Kassidy out and put the $100.00 towards Kyle every month. Are you kidding me? What would we say to our daughter? Absolutely not, would we do that! He then proceeded to tell my husband, let's just shake hands and part ways. My husband said, "I am not shaking your hand" and then called him an "**". He told my husband that he should leave, and Kyle said, "You're right!"
My husband walked out of the office and yelled out our sons name in the middle of the class. The whole place just stopped and looked at him. My husband said he was just going to walk out, but he said he just couldn't help himself. He started telling everyone what happened. He said you could tell "Master P. " did not want him to say anything. He kept trying to rush him out. My husband said he felt so bad because our son and daughter did not know what to do. They were embarrassed and walking in circles.
Master Park tried to make my husband look bad in front of everyone by saying, "What a role model for your kids" I told my husband I was proud of him. He stuck up for his children in front of everyone. Maybe he did not go about it the perfect way, but in that situation, feeling very sick from Chemo, dealing with someone who does not even have children, he has no idea what it feels like to have three children and have brain cancer and not knowing what your life span is.
My husband called me as soon as he walked out of there. He was so upset trying to explain to me what happened. I could hear my kids in the background crying. It was awful. When they came home, my husband was shaking and crying. He was so upset for the kids because of what just happened. Needless to say, the rest of the night was ruined for all of us.
It's so sad to see what money does to people. I have talked with other people there with similar situations. Another family could not afford it either and was trading off computer programing for their daughters to stay also, but we noticed the last month they are not there anymore. I have watched parents hand them their credit card and walk out of the conference room looking so sad because all the money they just spent. I heard a parent walk out and say to their kids, "You better love Tae- Kwon- Do!" I have watched them give each other high fives when they talk the parents into signing contracts and get all that money.
I just think it's sad because he does not realize what he is doing to the kids. Our kids came home so upset last night. They are already dealing with daddy's brain cancer, the best that a 8, 6 and a 3 year old can. They looked forward to Tae-Kwon-Do. Kassidy was looking forward to this Saturday to test for her Yellow belt. "Master C." wanted Kyle to compete in competition in a couple of weeks.
My husband could not sleep at all last night. He did not know if he made the right choice arguing with "Master P." in front of all the kids and parents. I told my husband not to worry about it. All those parents probably wish they had the guts to stand up to someone like the way he did. I feel like going there and getting other people to picket in front of the business. He really seems like he is a fake. I would like to do what ever need be to let people know what happened and how he really is. It's such a shame people get away with treating people this way. I know we are no one to him, he has a very successful business.
There are 3 Tae-Kwon-Do schools. One in Boca Raton, Coral Springs and Davie Florida. Parks offer summer camp, birthday parties and so much more. I think all the money has gone to his head. Please let me know what you think about this, or what you suggest we do. I wonder how it is going to be, to cancel this from our checking account. We do not have a contract with our daughter and our sons is over. I am sure he will be a jerk about it.
