Let me say I admire everyone who was unfortunate to suffer injury resulting in being in a wheel chair and able to find a motivation to participate in a meaningful activity, even excell in it.
I am moved when viewing wheelchair dancing, and believe that once a dancer, nothing should prevent you from continuing what you used to do before you became wheelchair-bound..
That said, what could happen if wheelchair dancing became more popular ? How would impact / change the dance world ?
First, I cannot imagine, and would hope not , many competitive dancers would end up in a wheel chair.
Second, I cannot imagine a person suffering and injury, paralysis etc, would suddanly decide that what he/she wants to do is to competitively dance.
But lets suppose there are the few brave individuals who want to visit , practice wheelchair dancing in a local dance club.
After the initial call to a dance studio the obvious questions asked would be: Have a wheelchair access ? Have you an elevator ? Have you a ramp ? Have you proper parking enabling access from a automobile ? Have you proper stalls in your washrooms ?
As an handicapped person I have my rights. I want to use your facility, how soon can you provide it ?
And once the facility is complient, how would I in a wheelchair fit with the rest of the dancers who are not in a wheelchair ? What would my dance association do if 'we' wanted to compete, would all organizers be prepared to accomodate us ?
While wheelchair dance became a rather interesting part of dance events in Europe, it is often being presented as a curiosity, a circus act.
I'd be interested to know if someone else shares my sentiment.
For the reader who feel this is some kind of handicapped bashing, you'd be out of order, we all are handicapped in more thn one way. This is a question of human rights to have access to facilities as everyone else...I merely ask ,"where could this lead and the impact it would have on dance ..."
Thank you