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Time to Push for Recognition and Support for Wheelchair Dancing in America
by American Wheelchair Dancing expert, Sandra Fortuna
by American Wheelchair Dancing expert, Sandra Fortuna
I am about ready to embark on an all out effort to increase visibility and participation in wheelchair dancing. What keeps a person who is disabled from learning any structured dancing? First there is that mental barrier tied into thinking that a physical disability prevents one from doing something very physical. Second, there is the emotional barrier created by the sense on the part of the person with a physical disability that no one wants to partner with them. Third, there is the social barrier that makes being in front of able-bodied people exposing one's physical being just plain uncomfortable. Fourth, where in the world can a person with a disability get started learning the structured social dances?
If an able-bodied person were to make a decision that the time has come to learn how to dance, he/she could simply dial up the local dance school and inquire about group and private lessons. Where is a person with a physical disability going to go? I would imagine that most dance schools are inaccessible, and most dance teachers, whether they are creative or not, will feel at a loss very quickly when they are trying to sort out what is appropriate material for a disabled person to dance.
The Wheel Ease videos and companion manual were carefully developed, tested, adjusted and improved over a course of years working with dance teachers, dance partners and wheelchair dancers. Every single word of it was written by a teacher who is known for her expertise at explaining movement structure and systems. The charts are detailed and sensible. The descriptions are clear and consistent.
There are several ways to learn wheelchair ballroom and Latin dancing-make it up as you go along, get one good move and do it to all dance rhythms, travel to an experienced teacher and learn, or, for professional dancers who understand how to read and work with a teaching manual, purchase the Wheel Ease set.
There are hundreds of people who have learned the Wheel Ease techniques, and thousands who have witnessed the authenticity of the rhythm, style and character of the Wheel Ease material.
The Wheel Ease set contains video of the dance figures in foxtrot, waltz, tango, cha cha, rumba, swing. All figures are designed for the gentleman to lead, while the lady follows.
All figures are interpretatons of regular, popular social dance figures adapted to suit wheelchair dancers and their able-bodied partners.
Orders can be made through the author, Sandra Fortuna at 856 869 0010.
Outside Interest in Wheelchair Dancing,April/May 2010
I spoke briefly to a person who wanted some statistics on wheelchair dancing. Wouldn't that be easy to just make a few clicks or calls and instantly know how many people do something that is still pretty much unusual and unknown? I tried my best to engage this person in a conversation. Why the interest in statistics? It was for a report on disabilities. Could I share some information on wheelchair dancing with this person? No, a contact had already be made. After just a couple of questions it became clear that this person had no real interest or appreciation for this acitvity, just a need for some useless statistics to complete a report on a subject he/she was barely interested in. It must have been an unwelcome assignment. It obviously wasn't something that evoked any real passion or delight in this person. Too bad.
Other than that, I am having a good wheelchair dancing week.
This week the Dance Beat came. There were two full pages dedicated to the recent "Arnold Fitness Expo and Dancesport Competition."
One page is about the dance competitions and the other page is my write-up about Nick and Aubree's wheelchair dance. I feel honored that the editors used my write-up, and they used a whole page for it. I feel excited that more dancers will be exposed to this activity. Aubree tells me that at the Emerald Ball, she showed my article to Nick Kosovich and maybe he will sponsor her and Nick Scott for their costuming. Ooh La la!
Last week, I cooresponded with one of the dancers from Dancing On Wheels. She has a new dance partner, a professional dancer, and I wish she could come to Philly to compete in June. It doesn't look too good, but I am thrilled to know that she has found a way to continue dancing. Evidently, she is in demand for wc dance demonstrations and I may get to help her and her partner put some nice dance choreography together.
On Saturday, I met the artistic/executive director of a wheelchair dance company. It was so terrific to talk with another person who is obviously passionate about wheelchair dancing and its value to the participants and its potential to impact the general public.
OnFriday, May 21, 3 dance partnerships and our friends and family entourage did a demo at the Abilities Expo, Great NYC Metro area. There was a LOT of interest in our dancing. The local channel 12 did a little story on Nick and Aubree. Josh and Michelle performed in front of a "new" crowd for the first time and Brenda and John danced with us, too. Next year, we will expand our participation.
One night, Josh and I both had some free time before lessons started. So what did we do? We tried to get better at a couple of things. We worked on choreography ideas for his swing with Michelle. It's important to both of us because he wants very much to be better than another couple they will be dancing against in the wheelchair event in Philly. Without the impetus of the competition and the desire to be better than another couple, we would have wasted that down time and we wouldn't be making the effort to get better. He benefits because his confidence is boosted, I benefit because I get a charge out of seeing the activity working, Michelle benefits because she is having a great time dancing and learning. Competition is making us progress 10 times faster than we were when we were just dancing for amusement. Competition is a GOOD thing. It brings out the BEST in people, especially dancers.
If an able-bodied person were to make a decision that the time has come to learn how to dance, he/she could simply dial up the local dance school and inquire about group and private lessons. Where is a person with a physical disability going to go? I would imagine that most dance schools are inaccessible, and most dance teachers, whether they are creative or not, will feel at a loss very quickly when they are trying to sort out what is appropriate material for a disabled person to dance.
The Wheel Ease videos and companion manual were carefully developed, tested, adjusted and improved over a course of years working with dance teachers, dance partners and wheelchair dancers. Every single word of it was written by a teacher who is known for her expertise at explaining movement structure and systems. The charts are detailed and sensible. The descriptions are clear and consistent.
There are several ways to learn wheelchair ballroom and Latin dancing-make it up as you go along, get one good move and do it to all dance rhythms, travel to an experienced teacher and learn, or, for professional dancers who understand how to read and work with a teaching manual, purchase the Wheel Ease set.
There are hundreds of people who have learned the Wheel Ease techniques, and thousands who have witnessed the authenticity of the rhythm, style and character of the Wheel Ease material.
The Wheel Ease set contains video of the dance figures in foxtrot, waltz, tango, cha cha, rumba, swing. All figures are designed for the gentleman to lead, while the lady follows.
All figures are interpretatons of regular, popular social dance figures adapted to suit wheelchair dancers and their able-bodied partners.
Orders can be made through the author, Sandra Fortuna at 856 869 0010.
Outside Interest in Wheelchair Dancing,April/May 2010
I spoke briefly to a person who wanted some statistics on wheelchair dancing. Wouldn't that be easy to just make a few clicks or calls and instantly know how many people do something that is still pretty much unusual and unknown? I tried my best to engage this person in a conversation. Why the interest in statistics? It was for a report on disabilities. Could I share some information on wheelchair dancing with this person? No, a contact had already be made. After just a couple of questions it became clear that this person had no real interest or appreciation for this acitvity, just a need for some useless statistics to complete a report on a subject he/she was barely interested in. It must have been an unwelcome assignment. It obviously wasn't something that evoked any real passion or delight in this person. Too bad.
Other than that, I am having a good wheelchair dancing week.
This week the Dance Beat came. There were two full pages dedicated to the recent "Arnold Fitness Expo and Dancesport Competition."
One page is about the dance competitions and the other page is my write-up about Nick and Aubree's wheelchair dance. I feel honored that the editors used my write-up, and they used a whole page for it. I feel excited that more dancers will be exposed to this activity. Aubree tells me that at the Emerald Ball, she showed my article to Nick Kosovich and maybe he will sponsor her and Nick Scott for their costuming. Ooh La la!
Last week, I cooresponded with one of the dancers from Dancing On Wheels. She has a new dance partner, a professional dancer, and I wish she could come to Philly to compete in June. It doesn't look too good, but I am thrilled to know that she has found a way to continue dancing. Evidently, she is in demand for wc dance demonstrations and I may get to help her and her partner put some nice dance choreography together.
On Saturday, I met the artistic/executive director of a wheelchair dance company. It was so terrific to talk with another person who is obviously passionate about wheelchair dancing and its value to the participants and its potential to impact the general public.
OnFriday, May 21, 3 dance partnerships and our friends and family entourage did a demo at the Abilities Expo, Great NYC Metro area. There was a LOT of interest in our dancing. The local channel 12 did a little story on Nick and Aubree. Josh and Michelle performed in front of a "new" crowd for the first time and Brenda and John danced with us, too. Next year, we will expand our participation.
One night, Josh and I both had some free time before lessons started. So what did we do? We tried to get better at a couple of things. We worked on choreography ideas for his swing with Michelle. It's important to both of us because he wants very much to be better than another couple they will be dancing against in the wheelchair event in Philly. Without the impetus of the competition and the desire to be better than another couple, we would have wasted that down time and we wouldn't be making the effort to get better. He benefits because his confidence is boosted, I benefit because I get a charge out of seeing the activity working, Michelle benefits because she is having a great time dancing and learning. Competition is making us progress 10 times faster than we were when we were just dancing for amusement. Competition is a GOOD thing. It brings out the BEST in people, especially dancers.
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