The freedom of dance with Jessica Holtzhousen

It has been 10 years since Jessica Holtzhousen saw the parquet dance floor and absolutely fell in love with it. As a disabled person, ballroom dance has given her the opportunity to be free from her disabilities.

In an effort to showcase this freedom, she and her dance partner, Kallie Adams, headed to Cape Town where they participated in the Inter-Provincial Championships and National Championships League 3 on August 9 and 10. They will also travel to Botswana soon for a dance invitational.

Read more: Open D dancers raise R60 000 for charity

For Holtzhousen, the dance floor allows her the ability to express herself, while dance has given her the chance at participating in competitions she otherwise would have not have taken part in such as the closing ceremony of the Arnold Classic. The talented dancer was born with a number of disabilities as a result of her biological mother being an alcoholic. She has caudal regression syndrome which caused her to be a paraplegic, paralyzed from the waist down. She also has cleft palate, which required several operations, and has fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, all of which required for to spend far too much of her early years on the operating table.

It was while attending Hope School, a school for learners with physical disabilities, that she met Adams, a professional dancer who runs Newlands-based dance studio, KD Adams Dance Academy. There, Adams coached the school’s wheelchair dancing group who participated in various events and festivals, some which were hosted by the dance academy.

Also read: Jozi Dance Company receives an award

For Adams, it is important to spearhead initiatives that highlight the talents of disabled dancers because he believes that society puts restraints on people based on their abilities and socio-economic status. “My aim is to prove that your abilities shouldn’t define you as a person. You can achieve anything, even from a wheelchair. People with different abilities are not granted enough opportunity to display their capabilities on the dance floor.”

He hopes his dance partnership with Holtzhousen will showcase the freedom in her soul through her dancing. He aims to show the community that we should show love in everything we do and to everyone through respect. He also hopes that it highlights acceptance and portrays respect for our different circumstances. “I hope it shows the real meaning of carrying one another’s burdens when you are unable to – count on me to help you reach your goals.”

Holtzhousen has the aspirations to represent the country and explore the world. She also hopes her community will show more interest in what she does and feel encouraged to support financially. “Dancing is an expensive sport and it’s not given enough support by the community or the government.” Her message to fellow disabled dancers is to not be limited by your challenges, but rather to challenge your limits.

Follow us on our Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok pages. Join our WhatsApp group for any story ideas you may have.

Related article: Luck of the Irish Dancers