Grandmaster Danny Valdez was born July 26, 1956 with Cerebral Palsy. He first met Grandmaster Cummings in 1975 in San Angelo, Texas. Grandmaster Cummings accepted him into the Martial Arts Academies where he began his study of martial arts, receiving his Cho Dan in 1980. Grandmaster Valdez has continued his study throughout the years and received his 5th Dan in December 2004.
While studying martial arts, Grandmaster Valdez also continued his academic studies at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas from 1977 until 1982 .
Grandmaster Valdez is an exceptional man and does not let his disabilities stop him from doing anything he wants. He lives on his own and has been known to drive his motorized wheel chair all over his neighborhood. GM Danny enjoys collecting knives and other martial arts related items.
GM Valdez was promoted to Grandmaster, Tang Soo Do Karate Association, on April 24, 2010 and inducted into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame and promoted to 8th Dan by the International Martial Arts Council of America in July 2011