Whoever said wheelchair users can’t dance has not met Juliette Rizzo; a woman who proves every day that disabled does not mean unable!
I had the pleasure of watching Juliette dance the TANGO from her power wheelchair. Her partner – an able bodied professional dancer on board the Celebrity Mercury Cruise ship. And let me tell you, it was amazing. The competition was tough – one wheelchair dancer against four able-bodied dancer couples.
Four able-bodied couples had a week and a half to rehearse to assure their dance would win the competition. Each couple was assigned a specific dance and a professional dancer from the on board staff. But not Juliette; her partner arrived the day before the competition which allowed only three hours to select the music, the wardrobe and the choreography. Add to this maze of to-do’s, Gabriel had NEVER danced with a wheelchair person before. Once he revealed his secret, “I always WIN!” Juliette was confident they would WIN. Gabriel saw a challenge and accepted it. The wheelchair did not scare him away, it challenged him to choreograph the dance around it.
The day of the competition was exciting. This team was a team from the first meeting – within hours they had the choreography selected; now they needed matching wardrobe. Not only did they have to DANCE the TANGO, they had to look like TANGO dancers. What was Juliette to do? Her wardrobe did not include a TANGO dress.
But, the problem had a solution. The Celebrity Mercury was blessed with an incredible dance couple that wowed everyone – this mature couple took the dance floor by storm every night with the most amazing dance steps and outfits, and when I say AMAZING, I mean amazing. They looked like they were dressed by Dancing with the Stars professionals. And, she even had a TANGO dress!
Juliette wasted no time asking, “Can I borrow a Tango dress?” Without hesitation she answered, “Absolutely, and I also have the matching shoes and jewelry and a matching tie for Gabriel!”
Choreography and wardrobe selected – they were ready for the competition. BUT, there was one more thing – Juliette’s hair had to also match the dress. Again, the problem had a solution. One of the professional dancers (also competing against her) made her look like a Tango dancer – a pancake bun with a flower in her hair. Juliette was stunning – black tango dress, matching shoes and accessories along with matching hairdo!!! Oh yeah, she was ready to dance and to WIN.
The guests crowded the nightclub, each seeking an up front seat to view the dancers. And this crowd included our group of eight wheelchair users, or as I refer to them, wheelchair angels; a group of adventurous wheelchair users that vacation together.
Dance couple #1 dazzled the judges with their waltz, followed by couple #2 with their chichi; each receiving rave reviews from the judges as well as 10’s from the audience.
Then, Juliette and Gabriel, couple #3 “rolled” to the floor. Many thought they would fail miserably – but, they were taken by surprise. This duo wowed everyone with the dramatic TANGO --- never missing a beat - sharp turns, swift movements in perfect harmony with the music. Then Gabrial took control of the control and flawlessly make a perfect circle with the wheelchair while Juliette raised her arms and embraced his neck. The audience cheered with delight at the finale as Grabiel stepped on the back of her wheelchair, with one swift movement, raised his arms and gently lowered them around Juliette’s shoulders. The judges and the audience stood to their feet – their applause premeated the nightclub! Perfect 10’s for this Tango Duo.
The competition wasn’t over – couples #4 and #5 danced their way to perfect audience 10’s. Then the moment arrived – who would walk/roll away with the trophy?
The audience welcomed the judges and contestants back to the dance floor with a LOUD applause. It took courage for these passengers to compete – and it showed. Each couple was a winner – they stepped outside their comfort zone and took a chance on winning.
The Cruise Director thanked each contestant, then announced the WINNING couple ... the winners are – Juliette and Gabriel for the most professional TANGO we have ever seen in this contest. For the first time in Celebrity history, a person with a disability won their dance contest! Yes, not only was it historical moment for Celebrity Cruise Lines, but for Juliette and Gabriel as well.
Juliette proved disabled does not mean unable.
Times have changed … the wheelchair users of today are not holding back any longer. They are not sitting on the sidelines watching the able-bodied dance the night away. They are not feeling sorry for themselves any more; they are taking the dance floor by storm!
Dance studios have grasped this new “dancer” and are offering dance lessons for the wheelchair user and a partner – whether able-bodied or wheelchair user. There are choreographing dance moves that will amaze the die hard dance audience.
From tango to salsa, the new wheelchair dancer is leaving fear behind and accepting the challenge to incorporate their wheelchair as an element of the dance. And the results are amazing. The instructors teach technique along with an element of style. No longer do the wheelchairs go back and forth, they now perform incredible routines.
Wheelchair Dancers:
•Do not see their wheelchair as a negative; we have legs, they have wheels.
•Do not want to be a spectator; they want to participate.
•Do not give up without trying; they find alternative ways to win the competition.
Disabled Does Not Mean Unable is the new battle cry for the wheelchair user. They never give up because they don’t have the same equipment as everybody else. They use the equipment they have and GO FOR IT.
Will there be a wheelchair dance partner on Dancing with the Stars? Times are changing – it may happen sooner than you think.
Nancy Carey is a volunteer / photographer with the Ms. Wheelchair America Program and the author of My Sister My Hero Cathy Porter Ms. Wheelchair Maryland 2007, a memoir of her favorite wheelchair user. Writing paints pictures with words, and pictures write with light. God anointed her with both gifts to reach the world. A specific group in the world – the wheelchair user. Through her writing and photography, she has touched the lives of incredible women of strength and courage. Women who have not let their disability prevent them from living full and rewarding lives. Contact Nancy at www.nancycarey.com
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/the-dancing-queen-1769239.html
