I wanted to let you know that DanceVision’s January 15, event was a great success (“Every Move You Make: Bringing Dance to Parkinson’s Patients,” The News, January 7). It was full house, and all of the participants, persons with physical disabilities, and their caregivers had a beautiful time. It was so gratifying to bring joy to others!
One person said that she almost forgot she had PD, and that is exactly what this class is about. Simply to have an hour in their lives that they can forget their illness and rediscover that joy for movement that many of us take for granted.
For another couple whose husband was in a wheelchair, one could see tender moments when both were participating and she was no longer the caregiver but simply a wife again enjoying an hour of fun with her husband in a safe, compassionate and welcoming place.
A daughter even said: “I haven’t seen my dad smile in a while, and today I saw a glimpse.”
I am thrilled that people showed up and I hope that they share their positive experience. It felt so surreal doing the class and seeing so many smiles and everyone moving! By the middle of class, I certainly knew that my father would have loved this class, a place where he can move and not justify his posture and movements or tremors, where my mom does not have to excuse his gaze and slow movement/verbal response.
Thank you for the article. My mother got to read the article and she was very touched. I can hear from her voice that her heart was smiling, and I am sure my dad was, too!
Marie Alonzo-Snyder
Dance Vision
