Ballerina

My 5-year-old son took his first ballet lessons this year. I still don't know how my son ended up in ballet class, but that's a topic for another post.

His first recital was this past Saturday.  My son took the stage with nine other dancers (all girls) to show off some of the dances they had learned. They were adorable, apprehensive and, at times, completely overwhelmed by the audience.

It was almost exactly what I had anticipated. Then, there were several other dances featuring the ballet school's older performers. They were much more skilled than the younger dancers; again, it was very much what you would expect to see at a dance recital.

Towards the end of the performance, something very unexpected happened.

A high school senior that had suffered a traumatic brain injury took the stage in her wheelchair. She was flanked by two other dancers – her brother and sister.  The dance incorporated her wheelchair quite beautifully.

She stood with the help of her siblings and was lifted into the air by her brother. At the end, she balanced on her feet and lifted her arms into a ballerina pose. She was only able to hold this for a moment, but it drew a standing ovation from the crowd. There was not a dry eye in the audience. She looked beautiful, graceful – she was a ballerina.

I was moved by her joy, her determination – and her inclusion. I am proud to be part of a
community that embraces different talents and recognizes that a ballerina does not have to be what one would expect.