Dancing on Wheels

A husband and wife dance duo from Holland take to the floor. He is handsome in his tux, she is beautiful in her sequined lilac dress. The music starts: their timing is impeccable, their presence so sweet, so floaty, that you almost forget to notice that he is on a wheelchair.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to The International Open Dance Spectacular, taking place in Tal-Qroqq this weekend. Dancers from all over the world are taking part in ‘combi’ competitions - where one partner is in a wheelchair and one is non-disabled, and ‘duo’ competitions - where both dancers are in wheelchairs.

It’s dancing to the tunes of Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Waltz, Tango and all the works. Wheelchair dancers can actually express the feeling of dance – which really, you realise as you watch - has nothing to do with the legs but is more within the person.

The international show which is put up by the Malta Wheelchair Dancesport Association, aims to raise enough funds to allow local dancers to take part in competitions abroad throughout the year. Pippa Roberts, MWDA director and a qualified dancing teacher said that through the wheelchair and use of arms and other parts of the body, movement is made in the same way as non-disabled.

“Wheelchair dancing is a sport and art that integrates fully therefore the non-disabled person gets to know the wheelchair user as a person rather than as somebody with a disability,” she said.

“I really would like to encourage everyone to come by and watch the show – for those who think they might find it a bit sad, I can assure them they won’t – rather they’ll be taken in by the beauty of it all, and amazed by what dancers on wheelchairs can do,” said Ms Roberts.

Wheelchair dancing also teaches the wheelchair dancer how to use their wheelchair better. Often by seeing other dancers do more with their wheelchair it encourages them to become more independent and try new moves. “Not unlike non-disabled dancers trying to copy their peers,” said Ms. Roberts.

Wheelchair dancing has only been around for a decade in Malta but the Open Dance Spectacular clearly shows that it is a big deal. The participation is enthusiastic – and only recently a Gozitan teen couple – Andrew Buhagiar,15 and wheelchair dancer Samantha Xiberras, 12 have placed second in an international competition.

“When I’m out there on the floor, happiness just overwhelms me,” said Samantha, who took up wheelchair dancing two years ago and practices her routine three times a week. “For me dancing with Samantha is just as demanding but just as rewarding as dancing with an able-bodied dancer,” said Andrew.

And seeing them twirl and jive on the floor, you really believe them.

The International Open Dance Spectacular is taking place at the Sports Complex in Tal-Qroqq on Saturday November 27 and November 28 between 2pm-8pm.

Donations to the Malta Wheelchair Dancesport Association can be made via a Direct Bank Deposit in all BOV branches: Account Numbers 40011924575 / 40013654872.