About 5 years ago I was introduced to The Shimmy Club Inc. I volunteered to perform at one of their Fundraiser in Parrot Jungle. While preparing for the event I saw the children come out and prepare for their performance of the Argentine Tango. It was clear that some of the children were legally blind, some had physical disabilities, and others in addition had intellectual challenges. Despite all these challenges; it all seamed to disappeared when they began to dance. Their performance blew me away and that is when I knew I wanted to be apart of the Shimmy Club in a bigger/better way. A year or so later I became lead instructor in the program. It has been the most rewarding decision I had ever made. To be able to witness the physical and social change in these children in the classroom and in their every day life has been fascinating. My first time in class, I saw the difference between the new students and those who had started with the program. The new students posture was poor, they walked has if without any physical strength, and portrayed low self esteem. Months later when it was time to asses the students, it was great to see the progress in how they became aware of dancing with a straight back, walk with awareness instead of slouching along. The students disabilities no longer enabled them. I remember one of the students telling me "Ms. Ana this is my exercise. It is the only thing I can do and not be in a lot of pain." This organization deserves every support. This organization servers their community and the thousands of children with disabilities.
The Shimmy Club does a great job of helping kids in need while at the same time providing opportunities for artists to excel at their gifts. It is rare to find a facility and an owner who offers both on a continuous basis. It has been great to see the Shimmy Club grow over the years in its projects and programs.
This a very special program that aids kids with disabilities evolve there artistic and technical skills as dancers. It also helps develop there social and cultural awareness. I have seen kids who come in on there first day, shy with poor posture, blossom into free moving sculptures. The progress these kids make is so touching. This is truly a very important project!
