At Dance Mobility’s Adapted Ballroom Dance Competition, people from all around the country came together to compete. This special ballroom competition was for people who use a wheelchair or prosthetic.
Cheryl Angelleli, who is a Paralympic medalist and quadriplegic, and Evan Mountain, the co-owner of Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., are both cofounders of Dance Mobility.
“Representation matters, to be seen matters, to go into a room and see people that look like you are important,” Angelelli said.
Angelelli has once placed seventh in the world for wheelchair ballroom dancing, and decided to bring this opportunity to people in the U. S. She and her partner, Tamerlan Gadirove, sprung into action.
“Even though the dancers have always been very welcoming at other competitions where we’re competing against able-bodied, standing couples, it’s just different,” Angelelli said.
For Eve Dahl, 14, this is a big chance. “I’ve really never had an opportunity to dance in an environment that’s suited for somebody like me — I’ve always been dancing with able-bodied people — so I’m excited that I’m going to be able to find people who know how to direct me and adapt,” Dahl said. “It’s that kind of special environment that’s curated for you.”
“It’s nice to see the U.S. catching up to what the rest of the world is doing, and hopefully it keeps getting traction,” Eve’s dad, Lance, said. “She’s always loved to be on stage and perform — ever since she was little — so it’s right up her alley.”
Cheryl Angelleli, who is a Paralympic medalist and quadriplegic, and Evan Mountain, the co-owner of Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., are both cofounders of Dance Mobility.
“Representation matters, to be seen matters, to go into a room and see people that look like you are important,” Angelelli said.
Angelelli has once placed seventh in the world for wheelchair ballroom dancing, and decided to bring this opportunity to people in the U. S. She and her partner, Tamerlan Gadirove, sprung into action.
“Even though the dancers have always been very welcoming at other competitions where we’re competing against able-bodied, standing couples, it’s just different,” Angelelli said.
For Eve Dahl, 14, this is a big chance. “I’ve really never had an opportunity to dance in an environment that’s suited for somebody like me — I’ve always been dancing with able-bodied people — so I’m excited that I’m going to be able to find people who know how to direct me and adapt,” Dahl said. “It’s that kind of special environment that’s curated for you.”
“It’s nice to see the U.S. catching up to what the rest of the world is doing, and hopefully it keeps getting traction,” Eve’s dad, Lance, said. “She’s always loved to be on stage and perform — ever since she was little — so it’s right up her alley.”
