Dancing and Dreams

Dancing and Dreams

So, we recently hit a HUGE milestone, Lindsey completed her first dance recital! She practiced all year and performed on the big stage with all her neurotypical friends. As the day unfolded I was a rollercoaster of emotions, but nothing could prepare me for watching her. Smiling from ear to ear, I had tears flowing down my face and my video captures mine and all her families cheers as she impressed us.

Early in October 2017, we decided that since Lindsey had such an appreciation for music and enjoyed dance parties more than any other kid we knew, that we would sign her up for a Junior hip-hop dance class. There are some options for special needs classes, but her attention span had improved so much over the previous 12 months that we tried a mainstream class. The first night I was terrified mixed with unbridled enthusiasm, I gave her teacher a few notes on Lindsey and then sat outside peeking thru a window. I think I held my breath most of that night. I analyzed her every movement, anticipated her running out the door to find me, waiting for yelling or crying, hoping that she would be ok.  At the end of the class she ran out skipping with a lolly pop in one hand and a smile on her face. I asked if she had fun, she said she did and her teacher confirmed that she was engaged and participated well. This was night one.

From that point on every Monday night Lindsey and I could be found at her dance studio from 7:15 until 8pm. It was obvious that we tapped into a passion and we buzzed about how she “fit in”. I posted so many pictures on Facebook and showed videos to anyone who would watch her learning new steps. I thought that was the height of my pride- how could it get any better? Then costume fittings and pictures came- that too was a thrill. And then finally her big event was on the horizon. She had a dress rehearsal, that required her to be with her small group backstage for hours with parents she didn’t know in a place she wasn’t familiar with. I sat in the auditorium and waited, her song came on, her dance-mates ran to their spots and Lindsey stopped halfway to her start position on stage looked at the lights and RAN OFF stage. As if she simply said “nope” and left. She disappeared behind a black curtain. Her instructor led her back to her position and after 45 seconds of a 2.5 min routine, she got back in the rhythm and finished strong.

That night we talked a good amount about staying on the stage for the actual recital. She told me the lights were “kinda scary” and I helped her realize that those lights were going to help me see her so we could cheer! I had NO IDEA what to expect on recital day. Lindsey knew every step, but the sensory overload of the lights and loud music could cause a reaction. Thank goodness we had a dress rehearsal because on recital day she was comfortable backstage with the other moms and was ready for the lights!

So as her song began to play, and her class took to the stage I once again held my breath, she ran out with a real pep in her step and immediately started the routine. She wasn’t perfect, but few of the six 7-year old’s were. She fit in PERFECTLY. Her slightly off timing on occasion brought “character” to the dance and she SHINNED! I cried. I was so happy to see her do well, but even more to see her do well in this setting with mainstream kids and to hold her own. She was proving to me, and to the world that she can rise to a challenge and she will succeed.

I know it may sound silly to put so much stock in a dance recital, but it wasn’t that long ago that she wasn’t verbal, that she wouldn’t listen to simple requests of sitting, or to someone yelling “no”. She had made great strides in the last few years and to adapt to an unfamiliar setting, with so many distractions and so many uncertainties was quite impressive. It showed me, that I was right to keep pushing her, encouraging her, and helping her. She can master things with grace. And has a very bright future.  

I write this blog entry to encourage anyone to take a leap of faith with their kid, sometimes it wont work out, sometimes it will prove to be too hard but sometimes, just sometimes, magic happens and they exceed everyone’s expectations. Take a chance- with you – with your child- with a friend, you never know until you try. Our kids really can improve, heal and go further than they often are given credit for. I hope this story gives you that extra push to try something new too.

    Here are a couple pictures I snapped thru the little window on a random Monday night: