Dancers hope this adapted ballroom competition is the first of many in the United States

Last Saturday, Dance Mobility’s Adapted Ballroom Dancing Competition brought together more than a dozen people from across the country to compete in the first ballroom dancing competition in the United States for those who use a wheelchair or prosthetics. .

Cheryl Angelelli, Paralympic medalist and quadriplegic, and Evan Mountain, co-owner of Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, are the co-founders of Dance Mobility. Established in 2015, the program is supported by the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan foundation and offers free monthly group wheelchair classes taught by professional ballroom dancers.

“Representation matters, being seen matters, walking into a room and seeing people who look like you is important,” Angelelli said.

Angelelli’s competitive spirit and natural athletic prowess led her to rank seventh in the world for wheelchair ballroom dancing in 2017. However, access and finances are a barrier for many, as competitions are often held abroad. Angelelli was convinced that she wanted to provide these opportunities for dancers in the United States. She and her partner, Tamerlan Gadirove, competed nationally and internationally at the Para Dance Sport competition.

“Even though the dancers have always been very welcoming at other competitions where we’re up against able-bodied standing couples, it’s just different,” Angelelli said.

For 14-year-old Eve Dahl, the chance to compete with other wheelchair users was worth the 7-hour drive from Wisconsin with her dance partner, Ernie Olivas, her parents, Deborah and Lance, and their service dog Great Dane, Finn, 6, who looks more like a small horse.

Dahl suffers from osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease, a group of genetic disorders that lead to bones that break easily. This did not prevent her from pursuing lyrical dancing since the age of 5 and, for 3 years, ballroom dancing as a new challenge.

“Both are very special to me,” she said.

“I’ve really never had the opportunity to dance in an environment that suits someone like me – I’ve always danced with able-bodied people – so I’m delighted to be able to find people who know how to lead me and adapt,” Dahl said. “It’s that kind of special environment that’s curated for you.”

Dancers and their families hope this is just the start of new competitive ballroom dancing opportunities for dancers in the United States

“It’s good to see the United States catching up with what the rest of the world is doing and I hope it continues to gain momentum,” said Lance, Eve’s father.

“She’s always loved being on stage and performing – ever since she was little – so that’s very much her thing.”

Familiar waltz, tango, cha-cha tunes as well as more contemporary performers like Bruno Mars played over the gym’s speakers with a raucous crowd cheering each dancer.