Dancing for Joy

In yet another great story about our local community embracing those with disabilities with fervor and enthusiasm, I am so happy pleased with another story I read recently in our local newspaper.  A dance troupe that assembled last fall includes five dancers with Down syndrome ranging in age from 11 to 27.  All of the ladies recently perfromed in a recital before friends and family members at the Family Wellness Center in Ocala.  In fact, one of ARC Marion’s own Adult Day Training clients, Lisa Shultz, is a dance participant.

Quotes in the paper from parents applauded the instructor’s patience and perseverance.  They noted how their children’s socialization and balance had improved due to the dance classes and praised the fact that they had found peer appropriate activities for their daughters.  The exercise is great for the girls, and it’s helped many of them “come out of their shells.”  The Time to Dance ensemble has become a passion for the instructor, Michelle Lemieux-Smith of Ocala, and it seems that all involved are more than pleased with the results they’ve seen both on and off the dance floor.

I first want to praise our local newspaper, the Ocala Star Banner, for continually printing such great stories about the exceptional people in our town.  There are so many things we would never know about if it wasn’t for their coverage.  But more importantly I say way to go Michelle and the Time to Dance troupe for a job well done!  Continue to keep those toes a tapping and hands a clapping, because you’re inspirations to us all.  Keep dancing for joy!