Wheelchair Dancing

William: Five, six, seven, eight, and slow, and quick, quick, slow. Quick, quick, slow. And quick, quick, slow. All right this is what it looks like, slow and quick, quick, slow. Beverly: I have Muscular Dystrophy, and it's a disease that takes over the whole body. William: We’ll put a little bit of something in here. Okay? There’s not one second in my life since I started doing this, that I don’t think about it and say wow. It makes a lot more difference in these people’s lives. Your wheels are the use of your legs. We need you to stroke and stop, turn, forward and stop. Liz, R.T.: At Sharp Rehab we want to bring joy, we want to bring meaning into people’s lives. I was working with Beverly and she said to me, the thing I miss the most is dancing. I was like Beverly you can dance again. William: Outside. Make sure you’re looking at your partner. Beverly:I didn’t want to say in my house and say, poor me. That’s not life. I have to brace myself. Hardest time physically is in the morning when I get up. I’m just full of pain. Here is a panic spot for me. Because I don’t have a wall, I have to use two canes. When I’m out in public there’s a total avoidance. The public looks beyond us. I don’t think they realize, this could happen to them. Justin: Kids come up and ask why you’re in a wheelchair and the parents are dragging them away. I want to explain. My back was broken and I’ll never walk again. I’m, I’m not any different than anyone else except that I can’t reach the top shelf. Alisa: I have a T3 spinal cord injury from birth. I wasn’t allowed to go to the local elementary school, where I lived, because of my disability. I never went to the prom. I cried the first time I saw Beverly and William dance. I was just totally stunned. It has been my childhood dream to be able to dance. William: I didn’t know you were (inaudible), yay, look at you. Knock the girls out. Beverly… Liz: So I’m out on the town with Bev and all the other dancers, and I realize this is why I do what I do. William: It's an energy that’s in your body. And every part of your soul, there’s nothing like it. Beverly:It is such a beautiful feeling to be out there and have that freedom of dancing. Everybody that’s in a wheelchair tonight is feeling the same way. You’re moving to the music and you feel beautiful. And it just brings out that gracefulness from deep within. Beverly: Whatever is given to you, know that there’s a purpose behind it. You don’t want to be in this position, but if you are, then what are you going to do the rest of your life?