The Inspiring dance above all odds

[Marcus Lim]

What you are about to see was seen at a Chinese modern dance competition broadcasted on one of China's TV stations. This couple won - the lady with only one arm and the guy with only one leg -performed gracefully and beautifully to clinch one of the top prizes in that competition.

The lady in her 30s was a dancer and was trained as one since she was a little girl. Later she got into some kind of accident and lost her entire left arm. She was depressed for a few years. It seemed that someone asked her to coach a Children's dancing group. From that point on, she realized she could not forget dancing. She still loved to dance. She wanted to dance again. So she started to do some of her old routines. But by her losing an arm, she also lost her balance. It took a while before she could even making simple turns and spins without falling. Eventually she got it.

Then she heard some guy in his 20s had lost a leg in an accident. This guy also fell into the usual denial, depression and anger type of emotional roller coaster. She looked him up (seemingly he was from a different Province) and persuaded him to dance with her. He had never danced before.

And to dance with one leg? Are you joking with me? No way!

But she didn't give up. He reluctantly agreed. ' I have nothing else to do anyway.' So she started to teach him dancing 101. The two broke up a few times because the guy had no concept of using muscle, control his body, and a few other basic things about dancing. When she became frustrated and lost patience with him, he would walk out.

Eventually they came back together and started training. They hired a choreographer to design routines for them. She would fly high (held by him) with both arms (a sleeve for an arm) flying in the air. He could bend horizontally supported by one leg and she leaning on him, etc. They danced beautifully and they legitimately beat others in the competition.

I would like to share with you this most magnificent and touching performance I have ever seen! It is a living proof that strong spirit can conquer any physical limitations!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnLVRQCjh8c

[Judy Simons]

Thank you for posting this. I can hardly imagine how much courage it took - not only to perfect their art - but to dance in a public performance.

Today's culture is focused on perfect appearance, with the arts and intellect so sadly neglected (at least that's my own view of what has happened here in the US) and this video brings an appreciation of the beauty of imperfection back into focus with lovely and simple dignity.

[Chris Saper]

Dear Marcus,

I opened my computer this morning to both the horror of Benazir Bhutto's assassination and the beauty of this extraordinary video. It's hard to imagine any more dramatic bookends to our humanity.

Thank you for posting this lovely piece.

[Marcus Lim]

Ms Bhutto's assassination is a tragedy to all things positive happening in the world. That being said it also brings about a new wave of sentiments in people wanting better things for themselves and the society.
In the case of this two special dancers, they too found they want to see the light of day for themselves. Life for any physically able human being is hard, but life challenged these two people - and those who are special out there - to face the ultimate challenge of courage and determination.
Success will be sweet for anybody who has come through; it is even sweeter for these people who fight against all odds, to become who they are.
By and large, this video serves as a good reminder - perhaps a visual resolution for the coming new year - that we can do and excel much better than before.
Everytime we think we can't get the colors right, or we have ruined a good day's work, think back about these people who persisted in order to be excellent.
And let's not forget that Sargent himself painted his subjects more than twice (i remember he painted a couple of sisters 14 times, am i correct?) in order to become that Sargent we all know.
Let's all remember this for ourselves.