Take up tap dancing!

Is there something in your life that you’ve “always wanted to do”? Maybe take a trip, learn a language, figure out what all the buttons & settings do on your camera.

What is stopping you? Time, finances, work commitments? Are you getting too old to start something new?

Well, Arne would have to strike that last explanation off your list! At the age of 85, Arne started taking tap dancing lessons. Why? Because he has always wanted to! Watch his story and pay close attention to how the dance studio is helping Arne achieve a lifelong goal.

Because Arne is an older student, his lessons have to be conducted in a different way than the younger students. Notice how he and the instructor sat in chairs to practice the new moves. Then they moved to standing while holding onto a bar. I’m guessing this is a bit of a departure from the average lesson given at this studio.

I have to compliment the studio on their willingness to accommodate Mr. Arne. Let’s think for a moment about another potential dance student. Someone who is not 85 years old, but has unique needs just the same. Maybe it’s a young girl with cerebral palsy who needs to sit in a chair and hold on to a bar to learn the steps. Maybe it’s a teenager with autism who needs the music to be a bit quieter. Maybe it’s a guy with a visual impairment needing some extra guidance and feedback. Maybe it’s a little boy who uses a walker to stand and move, but loves music and dancing.

Just like the “inspirational” story of the mature Mr. Arne, there are thousands of other individuals who have dreams long unfulfilled because of accommodations they need.

Have you ever talked to a mom with tear filled eyes because her son was not allowed to play on the instructional basketball team because of his needs?

Or seen the pain on the face of a young man with disabilities when he realizes that all his friends are getting together and he’s not invited?

Have you ever talked to someone with physical and intellectual disabilities who wants to work, earn an income and contribute so desperately but is unable to because of a lack of transportation and support?

I have had all these conversations and felt the frustration of not being able to wave a magic wand and fix everything! It is my hope that as an organization, ConnectAbility can help other organizations and businesses understand and move to action to make the needed accommodations so that people with disabilities can experience the benefits of being fully included in our community.

Here’s to more bucket list items getting checked off because people are willing to take a different approach!