New concept from BDFI

by Mahesh Perera

Three pairs of beautiful black eyes watch wistfully as the dancers go through their steps in rehearsal. In a minute those beautiful black eyes are moist, but with a determined blink of the eyelids the yearning leaves them.

Almost as if to tell the world - we are fine, we won't grieve. That spirit comes through, strong from Nishan Madushanka - 11 years, Anosha Lakmali Ameratunge - 18 years and Vishanthi Priyadarshini - 13 years, three- wheel chair competitors in the BDFI Dance Festival 2007 which will be held on October 25 at Waters Edge.

The proceeds from this Dance Festival which has a host of sponsors backing them, will go towards the Wheel Chair Dance Projects.

What is admirable, is the young dancers' courage to be like a normal human being, extending their hands towards love and friendship. That they love music and dancing is pretty evident because seated in their chairs they move their bodies to the rhythm with happiness. Young Nishan Madushanka just 11 years of age is a victim of cerebral palsy.

He is unable to walk but loves music. He plays the organ, loves dancing and the computer . He is studying in Grade VI at St. Thomas' College, Kotte and lives at the Sevana LamaiNivasa an arm of the Crippled Children's Aid Association of Sri Lanka in Pita Kotte.

To Sriyani Gamage, Matron of the Lama Nivasa for the past eleven years looking after the handicapped children and getting them on "their feet" so to speak has been rewarding. "Psychologically they are happy getting trained for the show on their wheel -chairs.

The three of them have been at it for the past six months and have been enjoying themselves thoroughly", says the dedicated Sriyani Gamage. "We have another competitor a victim of cerebral palsy and she is Vishanthi Priyadarshini.

She is thirteen years old and besides enjoying music and dancing, she likes needlework. She too is in Grade VI and stays at the Sevana Nivasa. When the holidays come along, they all go home and we are sad. The Nivasa is silent, no echo of their laughter or their friendly chatter and the staff and I longing for their return," expresses Sriyani.

Eighteen year old Anosha Lakmali Ameratunge, two and a half years ago suffered a medical misadventure which resulted in both her legs being amputated from below the knee.

The world around her fell apart but with love and understanding showered on her by the Matron and staff of the Lama Nivasa she got back a strong hold on life and began to enjoy dancing, playing the organ, sewing and working at the computer.

She attends St. Thomas' Kotte, is in the Advanced Level class and is looking forward to the Wheel Chair Competition, a worthy cause and a new concept organised by the Ballroom Dancers Federation International, Sri Lanka (BDFI).

The Federation is going all out to give an equal opportunity to the less fortunate as much as the able counterparts.

The Wheel Chair Dancers will be seen in action doing the Jive Cha Cha, Waltz and Quickstep to vie for the Dialog Trophy. The special dancing wheelchair costs Rs. 85,000/= each and so far the Federation was able to purchase only two. Dr. Nellie Fernando, President of the Wheel Chair Dance Sport Association hopes that the public will rally round to support the cause with donations.

The training camp for wheelchair dancing was started last year under the patronage of the Minister of Sports and Public Recreation Gamini Lokuge. Disabled army soldiers too were trained along with other children and with the professionalism they have achieved the BDFI intends sending two couples for the next championship to be held in Singapore.

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