Roll to the beat by Wheelchair Dancers

Wheelchair dancers put a new spin on dancing.

In perfect synchronization, they move to the left, then to the right. Forward, backward and turn, turn, turn. That’s how wheelchair dancers roll. It’s also how they waltz, samba, tango and salsa, as demonstrated at a wheelchair dancing showcase, The Perfect Circle, at Balboa Park on Saturday.

Along with individual couples performing the steamy paso doble, a graceful interpretive dance and other ballroom favorites, 40 wheelchair dancers and their able-bodied partners attempted to set a world record for the number of wheelchair dancers performing the bachata, a traditional Latin dance routine. 

Although it won’t be known if a record was broken until later this week, simply having dozens of people in wheelchairs twirling and rolling to the beat was a thrill for Beverly Weurding.

“Wheelchair dancing touches everyone’s heart. It’s beautiful to watch their joy,”said Weurding, founder of San Diego-based Wheelchair Dancers Organization. “Music is in the heart of everyone, no matter if they’re able-bodied or in a wheelchair.”

Audience members who were feeling the music ran onto the dance floor of the Balboa Park Club and joined the dancers for a flash mob line dance that had everyone clapping, stomping and whooping it up. 

                      In Balboa Park a large group of wheelchair dancers performed at the Balboa Park Club. At the end of the groups presentation, there was a flash mob where dancers danced to the song "Stand by Me". — Sean M. Haffey                      

Wheelchair dancing crosses the boundaries of age, gender and physical ability and includes people using manual and power chairs with varying levels of ability. Dancers in wheelchairs partner with an able-bodied dancer or duo dance with another person in a wheelchair. Today there are more than 5,000 wheelchair dancers in over 40 countries. 

“Almost any dance that I teach to a standup dancer I can teach to a wheelchair dancer,” said Joe Torres, owner of Angel House Studio in El Cajon and dance instructor/choreographer for Wheelchair Dance Organization. “It’s just a matter of two people moving on the floor in unison. That’s all dancing is, no matter if you’re standing or in a wheelchair.” 

When Weurding’s muscular dystrophy progressed to the point that she needed a wheelchair a few years ago, she felt she’d “become an invisible person around people. I avoided social gatherings and I mostly stayed in,” she said.

One of the things she missed most was dancing. So when she heard about wheelchair dancing, she enthusiastically got involved and formed Wheelchair Dancers Organization in 2009. With the financial help of Sharp Grossmont Hospital Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the hospital, she organized classes and performances featuring the unique dancing form.

Starting with just three wheelchair dancers, the group gradually caught on with both people in wheelchairs and the able-bodied who simply wanted to dance. In the last five years, approximately 175 wheelchair dancers have been part of the program.

“My quest was to inspire other challenged people and show how wheelchair dancing can make a positive impact on one’s body, mind and spirit,” she said. “There are no limitations, except the ones we place upon ourselves.” 

Not only is dancing fun for those in wheelchairs, it’s also good for them physically, requiring upper body and core strength. 

  “Body posture often becomes a low priority for someone in a wheelchair, and they don’t realize how their body becomes tilted forward. They have to really tap into their core strength to keep their body upright,” said Liz Carno, a recreational therapist at Sharp Grossmont Hospital who works with Weurding and wheelchair dancers.

Wheelchair dancing also improves endurance, range of motion and respiratory control.

“A lot of them no longer get any kind of physical therapy, so unless they’re going to a gym, it’s really hard to get the kind of workout they get in wheelchair dancing,” Carno said.

Not only does dancing help develop strength and stamina for people who use wheelchairs, but it also builds bridges between their world and that of their able-bodied dance partners.

“Learning to dance alongside able-bodied partners has brought the wheelchair-users a sense of confidence and equality that is often missing in their lives,” Weurding said. “It helps the public see a more positive and approachable image of the person inside the chair.”

Source : UTSANDIEGO ( 16th Feb 2013 )