Reflection Paper

Tears filled the bottom of my eyes as I watched. I'd never heard such
enthusiasm as I had that night. The inspired crowd exploded with applause.
As they performed our eyes followed his wheels and her feet.

On November 17, 2005 my friends Aubree and Duane performed at the Mark
Buonoconti Fundraiser held at the Horticulture Center in Philadelphia. The
Buonoconti Fund is the largest research fund in the world. It was started by
Nick Buonoconti, famous football player, in honor of his son who became a
quadriplegic. Duane, who is confined to a wheel chair for the rest of his
life, and Aubree, his able-bodied partner, danced to show that there is
always hope in life and to promote finding a cure for paralysis. When they
danced, the crowd's applause was so loud that I couldn't hear the music. I
could feel the inspiration through the smiles and tears of the audience.

Duane and Aubree are a part of AmericanDance Wheels Foundation. ADF is an
organization that teaches the disabled to dance with a partner and learn
ballroom and Latin dancing. The mission of American DanceWheels Foundations
is to make a significant contribution to the lives of individuals with
disabilities by providing the social and competitive activity of wheelchair
ballroom and Latin dancing. The dancing is usually held at Universal Dance
Center in Collingswood. Universal Dance Center and American DanceWheels
Foundation have been teaching people with disabilities how to do ballroom
and Latin dancing using a wheelchair for three years.

ADF has done many performances and demonstrations in various places. A
recent performance includes a twenty minute demonstration of wheelchair
ballroom and Latin dancing on October 29, 2005, at the American Academy of
Rehabilitative Physicians and Surgeons president's reception. Over
one-thousand doctors, health care administrators, therapists, medical
students attended a week long conference discussing spinal chord repair in
seminars. On the last day they had a reception as a final opportunity to
recap things they had done over the week. Our performance was partly
entertainment. It was also an affirmation that a physical disability doesn't
have to prevent a person from having fun, touching another person, being
graceful, artisitic and moving beautifully. American DanceWheels Foundation
is now trying to get donations in order to continue having free classes and
promoting the activity. People of all ages and ability level attend the
social class called Wheel One weekly. There is also a competitors and
performers' class in which the students learn intricate choreography and
rehearse for weekly demonstrations at rehabilitation centers, schools, dance
schools, dance competitions, hospitals. My duties on the duration of my
journey with American DanceWheels Foundation include many things. From
helping the disabled out of their cars and into the studio to dancing and
giving support I enjoy every minute of it. I help to teach the able-bodied
and the disabled the ballroom and Latin dances. The Latin dances include
cha-cha, rumba, samba, salsa. The ballroom dances include waltz, Viennese
waltz, tango, and foxtrot. We also do swing and hustle. We function like a
regular performance group preparing costumes and filming the performances.

The feeling that I get when I witness my friends perform is indescribable.
The crowd roars and it is overwhelming. I want to cry every time i go to a
performance. It is so powerful that I can see other people besides me about
to cry as well. It is not just a job or chore now, it has become an
enjoyable activity. Each week we gather in class to dance and learn new
things. Our group has become like a family and we all help each other,
support each others' interests, encourage each others' abilities, and work
as a team to create something beautiful. What other social activity could
possibly put a person so in touch with his or her feelings and still be
creative and fun? I am proud and thankful to be part of ADF. It is
refreshing to know such great people and to dance with them. I intend to
continue working with American Dance Wheels for a long part of my life.