Dancing on Wheels

So you think you can’t dance because you have two left feet or simply because you are not fit enough. Well think about the differently abled people who are dancing on wheel chairs instead of their dancing shoes. Whatever they lack in body parts are compensated with the facial expressions, arm movements, head rotations and of course the wheelchair control.

The first ever Wheelchair Dancing competition in the Philippines was held recently in Manila where the participants grooved to the cha cha, rumba and jive. The event was hosted by Tahanang Walang Hagdanan (’House with No Steps’) who provides ballroom dancing as a form of therapy and exercise for its disabled residents. The competition awarded a prize money of 5000 pesos and a chance to compete in Europe where it first became popular.

Wheelchair dancing is a popular social and recreational activity in more than 40 countries. It gives the physical benefits of balance, flexibility, range of motion, coordination and respiratory control. For most of the competitors, it’s an opportunity to show their real emotions and boost self-confidence and recognition among their peers and families.

References:
Reuters.com
Cntv.us
Wikipedia.org on dancesport

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