Waltz with us on World Stroke Day
7 simple steps to start dancing for health in a wheelchair, on crutches or with any disability.
A global online dance chain is underway to underline the importance of staying active to reduce the risk of stroke and associated brain injury.
The World Stroke Organisation wants everyone to #jointhemovement to mark World Stroke Day today (29 October 2020).
So here are 7 smooth moves to get into the dance groove in a wheelchair, on crutches and on your feet!
Start dancing, people!
If you were looking a reason to start dancing, there are 11 million of them to be found at the UK foundation for community dance, People Dancing.
The charity is behind an eye-opening worldwide touring exhibition showcasing iconic dance moments from film - but remastered with disabled dancers.
It also has some useful links to other disability arts organisations and disability-related dance companies.
Trip your way over to People Dancing here: Community dance.org
More about the exhibition here: www.communitydance.org.uk/creative-programmes/11-million-reasons-to-dance
A world of dance!
For anyone wondering what type of inclusive dancing they would like to try, there has never been a better time to find out.
Due to Covid-19, the World Inclusive Dance Association is hosting its 8th international dance festival this year online from 27 November to 1 December.
And with over 90 teams from around the world dancing in 33 different categories, there’s bound to be something for every ability.
Leap to it here: Inclusive dance or here: www.facebook.com - inclusive dance fest
Sporting chances!
Proving that disability is no barrier to boogying, Para Dance UK - formerly known as the Wheelchair Dance Sport Association (WDSA UK) – has been offering opportunities in para dance sport and inclusive dance since 2006.
More recently, they came up with a timely new routine to rebuff Covid-19 isolation blues.
The charity gives some great advice on how to start the search for local inclusive dance groups. (Its own instructor-led sessions are currently based in the South-east region of England.)
It also poses a few vital questions to ensure a dance activity will meet an individual’s needs, such as:
- How many people attend the group?
- What dance styles do they prefer?
- How long are the session?
- Are they suitable for users of wheelchairs or other mobility aids?
- Are they open to people of all abilities?
- Are carers/friends welcome as companions/participants?
- Is there disabled access to meeting venues?
Find Para Dance UK here: Paradance.org.uk
Stop and bop!
Our productions seek to offer a window into a parallel world where human interdependence, strength and vulnerability play out with poetic realism. 
Arts Council England partners, Stopgap create “exhilarating” dance productions involving people of all abilities.
The charity is committed to “making discoveries about integrating disabled and non-disabled people” through inclusive dance activities.
More pivotal opportunities here: www.stopgapdance.com
Not just the birdy song…
There’s been fancy footwork going on among Magpie Dance members since it was founded in 1985.
The contemporary dance charity for people with learning disabilities aims to unlock "individual potential” through dance participation, performance and training.
Tap into more information about its workshops across the UK here: www.magpiedance.org.uk
Choreographers of change
So you’re done with dancing on your own and you want to find other like-minded music lovers to shake it out with?
Don’t let Covid-19 restrictions stop the party – lots of groups are ‘meeting’ online now via social media sites such as Facebook and youtube.
Hotfoot it to Headway – the brain injury association for other ways to link with local dance lovers: Headway - Dancing after brain injury
And if you want to take it a step further and start a registered club, national support group, One Dance UK has all the dance diversity advice you need here: One dance UK
Rock ‘n roll research!
There’s lots of evidence backing the value of dance to people with disabilities, including enhancing empowerment, participation and visibility.
Hip hop to some of the latest research by European inclusive dance project, iDANCE here: I dance network
Latest statistics from the UK’s Stroke Association show:
- 100,000 people every year in the UK suffer strokes.
- A stroke strikes every 5 minutes.
- There are 1.2 million stroke survivors in the UK.
Related articles
https://www.world-stroke.org/world-stroke-day-campaign
https://www.krysalisconsultancy.co.uk/resources/item/experiences-of-stroke-survivors
https://www.krysalisconsultancy.co.uk/resources/item/humanising