Hi Dianne and All,

I worked with disabled athletes for 11 years, including people with CP.  From my experience, if I was in this situation, I would seek to speak, in advance, with the person's caregiver, to explain the activity and ask them for advice on every angle of concern: "here's what we do, can they do that?"  "If they can't do [the thing] how would you handle it?"  "Can you be there and partner with them?"  "If you can't be there, who else can partner with them?"  "What would be your own concerns if you were taking them to a dance?"  etc.  Likewise, I'd ask for advice from whomever it is, wherever it is that the buck stops, so you know, at the end of the day, that you're doing the right thing if, say, someone falls.

I'd also wonder if it'd be best to line up partners for them, in advance.  If it's a camp with counselors, guess who.

At the same time, looking at the dance event itself, if it looks likely they won't have fun, I'd consider inventing special roles within the dance that have an enviable cool factor.  For example, can you make them your co-caller?  E.g., if you do Sasha, they get to call the "1-2-3-Sasha...."  If you do Heel Toe Polka, they get to say the "Heel toe" part, or maybe even call the whole thing once you, the lead caller, can drop out, or else call along with or echo you.  Etc.

One might also invent some ornament or exclamation for them to interject, thinking back to a recent discussion here about the shouting of "Hoy!," and you delegate to them the job of shouting Hoy or Hey or Hi or whatever at the end of each 32 bars or whenever they feel moved, or invent some funny instruction like "smile two times!" and you show them when to say it, more or less.  Another idea, for giving them a leadership role, would be to write out announcements for them to read, like the name, source, author of the next dance and next tune, or introducing the musicians, or maybe write out a dozen index cards with jokes that they get to read.  Basically, offer them leadership; teach them to call.

Also, since it's a camp, there's always the possibility of a flashlight light show.

I hope that sparks something for you.

Rob

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Robert Matson
Cell: (917) 626-2675

On Wed, Jun 26, 2024 at 1:35 PM dpalmerquay--- via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

I’ve been asked to call a dance at a church camp for middle schoolers at the end of July. Two of the campers have cerebral palsy - one is fairly mobile but the other is on crutches. I’m looking for dance ideas that could be used as is or modified for a dancer on crutches.  About 40 people are anticipated (middle school aged campers and high school and adult staff).

Thanks,
Dianne
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