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Step by Step – Randy’s Journey to Dance

By Randy DeWitt

Hello, I am Randy, and I love learning how to dance. It’s always fun trying to learn new moves and get in some exercise at the same time. It’s one of my life’s goals to dance like a pro, ever since I saw people do salsa dancing at the Salsa In The Park event about 4 years ago. It’s more of a challenge for me to dance because I have inherently poor balance, thanks to my disability. You see, I have Usher’s Syndrome, a combination of deafness coupled with gradual vision loss. Yet, I still do my best to learn and practice salsa.

In the past four years, I have learned quite a few moves that I never thought I could do. Twirling my dance partner around, twirling myself around, fancy footwork, and dance at the same pace as my hearing counterparts. This is all thanks to Kerry Thompson, a fellow dancer with Usher’s Syndrome who started Silent Rhythms, Inc. – a nonprofit to promote inclusion to the arts for people with disabilities. She knows how to communicate with sign language, teach how to compensate for balance and audio-visual issues, and patient with the slower pace of deaf and deaf-blind people. If not for Kerry, I probably would still be doing the “steamroller” hand dancing and looking like a goofy fool doing it. Well, I am goofy by heart, though.

Not only did I learn new dance moves from Kerry like Bachata, Copa, Cross Body, Left / Right Turns, Backstep, and basic Cha Cha, but I also learned a few non-dance things as well. I noticed that my balance has indeed improved compared to four years ago, another thing I would have never thought possible. I have also improved my hand and foot coordination. I don’t stumble or bump into stuff as often anymore, contrary to what usually happens to most Usher’s Syndrome people as they get older.

Before getting invited then involved with Kerry’s dance classes, I was pretty much isolated. I did not have any friends or any meaningful social opportunities. Having Usher Syndrome means it is impossible for me to drive, which in turn means I can’t go to any random social event to interact with people. I was limited to events accessible by public transportation, and only a few of these events involved deaf people or hearing people who knew sign language. The salsa group is involved within a larger group of hearing people, but unlike most other hearing people, they have shown an interest in including deaf and disabled people in the dance events. They wouldn’t run for the hills when approached by deaf or deaf-blind people, but instead, they would actually take the time to gesture or dance with deaf and deaf-blind people such as myself. I actually feel welcome within the larger dance group, instead of being an outcast or excluded at other events.

I also got to meet several other deaf, deaf-blind, and hearing ASL people through the dance lessons that I would have never met otherwise. Paul, the deaf guy who I always tease and joke with. Elena, the energetic ASL dancer who is always up for more dance practice. Jason, a deaf-blind man who enjoys dancing as much as I do. Sarah, a hearing woman dancer who doesn’t know sign language but is never afraid to help me practice dance. The list goes on.

I am very glad I was able to discover Kerry and her dance classes. I have learned quite a bit, got to experience some great things, and met some really cool people. I wonder where things will be in 4 years from now? Will I be dancing like a Dance With The Stars pro on the dance floor? Will I have a girlfriend or wife dancing with me at the Salsa classes? Will I have 10 or 15 new friends from dance by then? Only time will tell. However, I can tell you this. I will certainly have a lot of fun, motivation, and inclusion at Salsa In The Park in the next 4 years, just like I have for the past 4.

Let’s dance!

 

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