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.

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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!