FOR CHILDREN WHO SUFFER FROM A BIRTH DEFECT ON THE SPINAL CORD CALLED SPINA BIFIDA, SIMPLY WALKING CAN BE A STRUGGLE, AND THEY OFTEN REQUIRE USE OF A WHEEL CHAIR. ALL THIS CAN MAKE THEM FEEL VERY DIFFERENT -- AND SOMETIMES LONELY. BUT ONE GROUP OF STUDENTS HAS FOUND AN UNLIKELY WAY TO INCLUDE STUDENTS WHO STRUGGLE WITH SPINA BIFIDA.
RAE DANIEL HAS THAT STORY. IT'S NOT UNCOMMON TO SEE A DANCE TEAM AT A BASKETBALL GAME.
Nats: Music
BUT THIS ROUTINE BY THE CENTRAL HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL DANCE TEAM MIGHT BE MORE UNIQUE. IT INCLUDED TWO YOUNG GIRLS WHO HAVE SPINA BIFIDA. WHICH CONFINES THEM TO A WHEELCHAIR. ONE OF WHOM WAS FIVE YEAR OLD RYLEIGH,
Laurie Tyner/ Dance Coach, Ryleigh's Teacher: "I went to my dancing team captain. I said I think we have something here. I think it would be so wonderful if we did a dance with these little girls that
have spina bifida to show that they can do what anybody else can do."
PUTTING HER ALL ON THE FLOOR. . YOUNG RYLEIGH ROSE UP AND DANCED FOR A CAUSE.
"But the words immediately spoke to us about these little girls. That they will rise up and they will do anything that the heart does for the people that they love and for themselves."
Nats: Music
BUT THIS WAS MORE THAN JUST MORE THAN JUST A ROUTINE.
"We are raising money for playground equipment. She does not have any handicap accessible playground equipment at this time besides balls or a sand pit and we want actual playground equipment for her."
Ryleigh Kobel/ Kindergarten:
"That's good because I would like to have my own swing."
TEAM MEMBERS SAY IT'S SOMETHING THAT THEY'LL ALWAYS REMEMBER.
"She made us all feel really good and just positive all the time."
Chelsea King/ Dance Team member:
"All the likes and the shares. It's not about that. It's the way it impacted us as people and us giving them that opportunity so I will always remember it forever."
A DANCE. . BUT ALSO THE LOVE YOUNG RYLEIGH HAS FOR HER TEACHER. . TO ALLOW HER TO RISE UP AND DO ANYTHING.
"I love her so much."
"I love you too Ryleigh."
WOW, WHAT AN INSPIRING STORY. BY INCLUDING RILEY IN THEIR ROUTINE THE GIRLS IN THE DANCE TEAM NOT ONLY MADE A NEW FRIEND, BUT ALSO HELPED TO RAISE MONEY FOR HER TO HAVE A SPECIAL PLAYGROUND.
Instructional Links
Website & Video: Revere, OH, Dance Studio | Website and wheelchair dance video
Website: Dancing Wheels Company & School | Dance school in Cleveland for wheelchair dancers
Website Article: Smart Chair: 19 Futuristic Concept Wheelchair Designs
Website Article: Georgia Tech, Tools for Life, Assistive Technology | Explains and gives examples