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MEET THE DANCERS

The specialized wheelchairs used in the Wheels in Motion program offer the dancers mobility, creativity and freedom to express themselves through dynamic movement. Postmedia photographer Michelle Berg followed the troupe from weekly practices to their final recital. Learn more about each dancer and what brought them to the group. CHRISTINE SCHERR

Christine Scherr has danced in a wheelchair for most of her life. The 26-year-old was born with spina bifida, a condition affecting the spine, and started with the program at age four when it first became available in Saskatoon.

More than 20 years later, she still enjoys posing in her dance attire on picture day.

Dancing has opened up many doors for Scherr. She has performed at Telemiracle and in New York with the Agility Ballet Company. She's also danced at care homes and conferences over the years.

Scherr says this group feels like her second family and that her teacher, Jodi Simpson-liburdi, is amazing.

SARAH MARTELL

Sarah Martell, who has physical and visual impairments, is in her 15th year of dance.

While music and dance are a creative passion for her, the weekly practices help with her coordination and flexibility.

Social inclusion is also an undeniable benefit. Martell loves to laugh and sing along to the music with her dance friends.

“Despite our difficulties, we all love to bust out moves to music,” says Martell via text.

Her favourite memory is from her first year when her sister was part of the group, and they did a tap dance routine with hand taps on a board attached to their legs.

Martell appreciates her teacher's compassion and says nothing is better than their final stage performance at recital.

“That is our time to shine!”

RACHEL BINDLE

Rachel Bindle, who has spina bifida, has always loved to dance.

She was in stand-up jazz and tap dance from ages six to 12 until deciding to quit because it was getting too difficult.

Her leg was weak, and she couldn't keep up with everyone else.

“I didn't feel comfortable doing it; that feeling of being selfaware. I looked different than everyone else,” she recalls.

Her family learned about the wheelchair dance class, and she's been in it for the last eight years.

She says it felt natural to dance in the chair for the first time.

“I definitely fit in here. I look like everybody else. It makes me much happier.”

Teacher Simpson-liburdi says Bindle is a great mentor for the rest of their crew, and she's often the one they look to if they're struggling with a routine.

TAYLOR DENNY

Taylor Denny, who has cerebral palsy, started dancing when she was six — she is now 17.

She likes lyrical dances because the costumes are less flashy, and she loves to show a crowd what their chairs can do — spins, glides and weaving between people.

“We can spin pretty fast. I like doing spins or have someone do a kick and push me away — an explosion situation,” she says.

Denny describes teacher Simpson-liburdi as a second mom.

“We are her babies. This program wouldn't be around if she wasn't.”

Denny says she feels a sense of belonging in this group because her peers are like her and understand what she's going through.

“I have such a good support system here. If anyone is feeling down about something, we can kind of air it out and deal with it together.”

WEEKEND

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2021-06-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-06-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

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