Courtesy Darby’s Dancers — © Carrie Pyrz Photography
It is well documented how dance is a healthy activity for children in terms of both physical and mental fitness. Now is the time to extend these great benefits of dance to more children.
Children with special needs haven’t always been involved with dance, but that is starting to change as studios across the country are extending dance education programs specifically designed to allow these children participate in this healthy exercise.
My daughter’s dance studio, Liberty Dance Center, in Waukesha, WI, is partnering with a
nonprofit organization out of Alabama to bring the joy and benefits of dance to these kids.
The program, Darby’s Dancers, currently has 20 chapters across the country due to the dedicated
efforts of its founder, Valerie Jones.
Valerie’s daughter, Darby, suffered from Leukemia, Down Syndrome, and a heart defect, but she started dancing and it changed her life. Upon her passing, Valerie dedicated her life to this program to honor her daughter.
Liberty Dance Center has acted on its desire to give back to the community by starting a Darby’s Dancers program to its studio this summer and will continue the program into the summer.
The program is free to the children’s family including weekly classes, dance shoes, attire, and recital costumes. Through the generosity of the dance studio along with other local businesses, this program has been brought to the Waukesha area.
Check out the Darby’s Dancers website www.darbysdancers.com to learn more about this program. Then, please help us spread the word on a great program to enrich the lives of children with special needs.
