Tissues anyone?
Please watch the Video BEFORE reading the text. Ramana, the ‘old softy’ sent it to me, but alas he forgot to send the tissues. I guarantee you will need them.
Now for the back story…
In a Chinese modern dance competition on TV, one very unique couple won one of the top prizes.
The young woman, in her 30’s, was in a terrible accident and lost her arm. She had been a dancer since childhood and the loss was devastating to her, and she fell into a state of depression for a few years. After some time someone suggested that she teach dance to children. She began to realize that she wanted to try to dance again.
She started to do some of her old routines, but the loss of her arm affected her balance and at first she fell constantly. It took a while before she could even make simple turns and spins without falling. She wanted to find a partner who was also disabled.
Then she heard of a man in his 20s who had lost a leg in an accident. He had also fallen into the usual denial, depression, and anger type of emotional roller coaster. But she determined to find him and persuade him to dance with her.
He thought her idea was ridiculous, he had never danced, and to – ‘DANCE WITH ONE LEG!’ “Are you joking? With me? No way”! - were some of the ways he responded. But, she didn’t give up, and he reluctantly agreed thinking, “I have nothing else to do anyway.”
She started to teach him to dance.
The two broke up a few times because he had no concept of using muscle, how to control his body, and knew none of the basic things about dancing. When she became frustrated and lost patience with him, he would walk out.
Eventually, they came back together and started training seriously. They hired a choreographer to design routines for them. She would fly high (held by him) with both arms (a sleeve for an arm) flying in the air. He could bend horizontally supported by one leg with her leaning on him, etc.
In the competition, as you will see, they dance beautifully and they legitimately won the competition.
*+*+*+*
The post is here where I can find it, for those days of frustration – post hip surgery – to remind me of what is possible if I make the effort! The date will be easy to remember. My mother died 13 years ago today. She taught me perseverance. Thank you Mammy!
Nick said,
August 22, 2009 at 8:54 am
Funnily enough, I didn’t notice for a while that the woman only had one arm, I was looking so intently at the man! Absolutely breathtaking, they dance so fluently and imaginatively despite their physical restrictions. Better than many dancers who are “able-bodied”. As you say, it shows what is possible if you are determined enough and refuse to be defeated.
Rhyleysgranny said,
August 22, 2009 at 9:44 am
You were right about the tissues. So beautiful and very humbling. What brave young people.
Geri Atric said,
August 22, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Joyous and inspiring!
Maynard said,
August 22, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Fannnnntastic!
Polly Pierce said,
August 22, 2009 at 12:51 pm
To begin with I hadn’t realised the woman was disabled and thought that the crutch was merely a prop! It was only as the couple went on to perform a fluid and beautiful dance that their physical differences became obvious. Thanks for sharing this with us, we should all take inspiration from their determination, skill and grace in the face of such challenges. Polly
Grannymar said,
August 22, 2009 at 2:00 pm
@Nick - I didn’t notice at first either, that sleeve certainly did the job.
@Rhyleysgranny - Indeed it was.
@Geri - I agree. I hope you are well.
@Maynard - Do you dance like that?
@Polly - Welcome again. I felt it was well worth sharing and I’m glad Ramana drew my attention to it.
kenju said,
August 22, 2009 at 2:14 pm
I didn’t see that she only had one arm until about half way into it. They dance beautifully and it is a heartwarming story!!
Grannymar, I am going to put this in an email and direct people here to see it. Thanks!
Maynard said,
August 22, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Grannymar , not quite, but you give a woman like that and I can at least shake!
Rumuuser said,
August 22, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Maynard, have a heart. You get a woman like that and you will need to dance with a crutch. Can’t prop her up on the cross bar of your bicycle can you?
Grannymar said,
August 22, 2009 at 2:38 pm
@Judy - Please do, there is a lesson in there for all of us.
@Maynard - Would that be a milk shake?
@ramana - Does Maynard have a push bike?
steph said,
August 22, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Grannymar
Nice one!
I’m sure, if you ask nicely, Nancy might lend you her leotard and yellow socks
Grannymar said,
August 22, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Steph, glad you enjoyed it.
Maynard said,
August 22, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Just wait, I will bring my Harley, and pick you people up for a long ride, Grannymar on the handle bars, Bhb on the seat behind me and Rummy in the side car. Conrad will be trying to keep up on his tricycle. Call ourselves the “Blog Devils!”
Grannymar said,
August 22, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Maynard,
Me on the handle bars with my bony bum!!!!!! (o.o) Everyone else gets to sit on a seat, I at least want a cushion! Velvet, if you don’t mind!
Magpie11 said,
August 22, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Gulp!
BBC Radio 4 is currently broadcasting a series “No Triumph, No Tragedy”….Peter White talks to disabled people who have bucked the odds and achieved outstanding success in a variety of fields.
This week a Cricket Commentator who was blind from birth.
Maynard, Ramana suggested that the picture I posted the other day was of GM…. she thought it was my mother….
Jefferson Davis said,
August 22, 2009 at 8:59 pm
It just goes to show you what the human spirit can accomplish, if we apply ourselves. Tis very inspiring, Grannymar.
Alice said,
August 22, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Like many of the readers, I didn’t notice the female dancer had no arms until half way in, and I’d almost convinced myself the legless male was accomplished with inventive costuming and lighting. I’m glad you told us to wait until after seeing the video to read the story. Heartwarming indeed. And you’re right about posting so you can always find it. That’s what I like to do on my blog, too. How much notice will you get before your surgery?
Darlene said,
August 22, 2009 at 10:13 pm
This inspiring couple show that anything is possible if you want it bad enough.
Now, Grannymar, we have to start thinking about our hippy dance group after your surgery. Will we do a ballet number, jazz dance, swing, or tap? We can do it if we work hard. BIkehikebabe, weigh in here.
Baino said,
August 23, 2009 at 12:01 am
It’s like watching paralympions as well. Their achievements are higher than most able bodied athletes despite horrendous injuries and disability. Fantastic.
Grannymar said,
August 23, 2009 at 7:10 am
@Magpie - I love “No Triumph, No Tragedy” with Peter White (who himself is blind since birth)
@JD - That it is!
@Alice - The op should happen sometime in the next 10 weeks. I will have at least 10 days notice as I must come of some medication beforehand and switch to another.
@Darlene - We might rope in Magpie to do the choreography… he knows about dancing, you know!
@Baino - I agree.