Showing posts with label dreams in motion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dreams in motion. Show all posts

Sunday, May 7, 2023

Dance, Dance, Dance!

Faith loves going to plays, musicals, ballet performances, and other events in which her friends perform. When she was younger, I thought attending these things would be too overwhelming for her as she has a strong startle reflex. Usually, it's loud sudden noises that trigger a strong startle response. I figured out though, that as long as the noise is constant, and she knows what to expect, she actually does very well. When I found out that Dreams in Motion was doing wheelchair dance again this year, I figured she would want to do it. When I asked, she enthusiastically said, "YES!" 

She was so excited to go to her first practice. She told everyone she saw that she was going to be in a dance performance! During practice, we found out the theme was Encanto (which we have never seen). They were going to be dancing to a medley of songs from the movie. There were about a dozen participants, some with manual wheelchairs and others with powerchairs. 

During practice, each of them was paired with a volunteer who helped them move and do the dance moves. Faith even had a little solo part in which she had to carry a coffee cup to the dance instructor and hand it to her when she said, "And that's why coffee's for grownups!" 

Faith was all smiles during her first dance practice! 

The following week, Faith had dress rehearsals in which they received their costumes. Each participant and volunteer got to wear a little tiny sombrero along with a colorful poncho. They also practiced with the props that were a part of the performance. 

It was great seeing everyone have so much fun together. Faith knew a few of the participants from past Dreams and Motion events (such as wheelchair soccer and track and field). She also knew some of them from where she goes to therapy and her day program. A few other moms remarked how comical she was. She certainly does love to make people laugh! 

Faith laughing at Coach Lacey. 

Faith with her super fun partner, Liz! 

Practicing her coffee cup part. 

The actual performance was held at Shiloh Christian School and hosted by Just for Kix, which is a dance company in Bismarck. There were 3 performances, and the wheelchair dance group would be participating in 2 of them. The first performance was at 10:00, which meant we needed to be there at 9:30. Thankfully, the school was less than 5 minutes away from where we lived. 

We were told that the show would be standing room only, so I was expecting mass chaos upon arrival. Even though we arrived 30 minutes before the show started, the parking lot was already full. I wasn't sure how I was going to get Faith unloaded on my own and then park. (Of course, all the handicap spots were taken!) I was thinking I could text my parents, who I knew were probably already inside, and ask for their help. Then, I looked and saw a good friend walking through the parking lot with her granddaughter. I honked and asked if she could take Faith inside and wait with her while I parked. Talk about God's perfect timing! 

Inside, we found our group and just hung out until it was their turn. There were about 9 or 10 teams before them. Finally, I let Faith's partner take over and went to find a spot to record their performance. They all did so great! Even when one of the props kept falling over, they just rolled with it and didn't let it phase them. Faith wasn't nervous or scared or anything - I was so proud of her and everyone else! 

Here they come! Faith didn't even seem phased by the packed gym. 



When they finished, I heard a thunderous round of applause and then everyone began to stand! My eyes instantly filled with tears. I really felt like these wheelchair dancers had inspired everyone in the audience, including the other dancers. Afterward, I hurried to the lobby, found Faith and told her that she did it and I was so proud of her! All of the performers were super excited and some of the moms had tears in their eyes, too. 

Since we had a few hours before the next performance, I debated on going back home for a bit. I decided against it, though as I didn't want to have to deal with parking again. My parents came into the lobby and told Faith what a great job she and everyone else had done. I told them I wasn't prepared for it to be such an emotional experience. Mom said there were even people in the stands crying. 

So glad Grandpa and Grandma could make it to the performance!

Me and my dancer! 

During the break, Faith ate a bag of animal crackers and I grabbed a hot dog. We had a nice time just visiting with other parents and their kids. At one point, I took Faith into the bathroom to give her some water through her g-tube. There were some other dancers in there and Faith tried to strike up a conversation with them. She really isn't afraid to talk to anyone! Out in the lobby, she continued to compliment the other dancers on their hair and their costumes. We were sitting right next to the table where people came in and paid and she tried to talk to almost everyone there, too. I told her she really didn't have to talk to everyone! (She gets it from her Grandpa!) 

Finally, it was time for performance number 2 and they did just as well with another standing ovation. Afterward, the group took some pictures, handed out certificates, and then Faith was ready to head home. It had been an exciting day and she was ready to just relax! All in all, it was a great experience and she already can't wait to do it again next year! 

Coach Lacey handing Faith her certificate. 

Faith's certificate and flowers from Grandma! 

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Faith the Soccer Star

Faith was so excited last weekend when I told her they were having wheelchair soccer again. Her first question was, "Can Adam push me again?" I told her I had no idea if he even went to school at the University of Mary anymore. When we got out there, she was disappointed to learn he had another obligation that day. Everyone assured us Adam would be there next time. She still had fun with a few other guys from the college soccer team who pushed her around to help her play.

In wheelchair soccer, they don't use a normal soccer ball, instead it's more like a beach ball. Normally, the soccer players who are pushing the kids around throw the ball to each other then help the kid they are pushing hold onto it as they try to get into the net. She had so much fun and the faster they pushed her, the bigger the smile on her face.

Ramsey helps Faith with the ball
Faith making friends
Faith having fun with Garrett the goalie
This weekend, despite the fact she was suffering with a terrible cold and hadn't gotten a lot of sleep, she still wanted to play. She was thrilled to be reunited with Adam, who I found out was a junior in college and had come to Bismarck all the way from Ireland.

Although the organization, Dreams in Motion, has other adaptive sports throughout the year for those in wheelchairs and other mobility challenges, I can't convince Faith to try them. (Although, she did try curling once.) They also have basketball, tennis, skiing, sled hockey and dance. Soccer is her favorite and unfortunately they only have it a couple of Saturdays a year, although they might try to get an outdoor game going in the Spring. We also told Adam we would love to see him play when his soccer season starts at school in late summer.

Faith taking a break
Faith and her all-time favorite soccer player
Everyone's a winner!
Dreams in Motion is a great organization for planning these events. I was also impressed with the dedication of the soccer players from the University of Mary who took time out of their Saturdays to help out and spend time with the kids. You can click on the video below to see everyone in action!