Even if you spend your life in a wheelchair it does not mean you can’t have fun and celebrate live.
That is exactly what the learners from Frances Vorwerg School proved when they participated in the Jerusalema dance.
“During lockdown, teacher Natasha Phelix texted me about the dance that has taken over the world. I had no idea what it was about but I did my research and saw the whole world taking part in the dance,” said Anandi Spies from the school.
Spies explained the song was not necessarily about the dance but what intrigued her was the meaning of the song.
“During my research I found out the song is about praising God. It was clear to me why the world is dancing to the song because it is all about God. According to the song, we are on our way to Jerusalem, which means this is not our home,” said Spies.
She told the CHRONICLE this was a beautiful song because we are going through a pandemic.
“There are so many people who have died because of Covid-19 and the song just brought us hope. It was a clear indication that this is not the end, we are all going to Jerusalem and we are just passing by,” Spies said.
“I decided to teach our learners the dance during these awful times just to bring hope. It was very difficult and challenging when they came back. We didn’t have the same time to practise because of the breaks of every single phase is different.”
Their school have the mainstream phase which is called the technical occupational phases for learners who will be more vocationally orientated. Another phase is for learners who are more skilled inclined and lastly, they have a foundation phase for the little ones.
“It was very difficult to get all the phases together but we decided to have three senior phases to come and dance together, where they practised during break,” she said.
Hostel and kitchen staff also wanted to participate with the children and have fun with them.
“I have watched a number of videos and I have not seen anyone dancing in a wheelchair. I felt like it was sad, people do not realise that people who live in wheelchairs can also dance. “I decided we are going to do it and although you live in a wheelchair, you are also a dancer. The fact that you dance differently does not mean you cannot dance,” she said.
Spies said this was to show the world that children with special needs have a different ability to showcase their talent.
