CHD’s Disability Resources to Present Adaptive Dance & Movement Recital

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Cameron Hines was born 25 weeks and three days premature. She had a grade-four and grade-three IVH brain bleed which left her with cerebral palsy and legally blind. But on Thursday, Aug. 20, alongside the many participants in the Center for Human Development’s Disability Resources dance program, 10-year-old Cameron will showcase her dancing abilities despite her physical limitations.

According to Nancy Bazanchuk, CHD’s Disability Resources program director, “we call this particular program Dance & Movement class because it is about getting girls and boys moving to the music. It is not like a typical dance program. It is a dance program that makes dance accessible to everyone who comes.”

The Summer Adaptive Dance & Movement program will celebrate the end of summer with a performance from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The program will feature four group dances and eight solo pieces. Disability Resources focuses on one’s ability and encourages the participation of the entire family, and this year’s recital will incorporate a group dance by all of the participants’ mothers.

Samantha Fernandez, Cameron’s mom, has two children in the program. “Cameron has been participating for the last five years,” she said. “For her, it’s mostly a social club. But for me, it’s more than that. This class gets her to move her body in ways she normally doesn’t. It’s very important that she keep moving to help keep her muscles active. She was having so much fun, she got her brother Alex to dance too.”

Alex, two years older than his sister, said he joined after his sister begged him. “I enjoy it because I can be with Cammie. It’s fun for everyone; no matter what your problem is, you can participate.”