DALLAS — Generally speaking, kids don’t get excited to go to the hospital.
However, at Scottish Rite for Children in Dallas, we found them jumping for joy.
Because, for many of them, they’ve never before felt so accepted.
“I’ve never did that, but today I did,” 8-year-old Maddison Goolsby, who has cerebral palsy, said.
Most typical dance camps don’t have programming for kids like her, which is what makes this one so special.
“It’s honestly a blessing that we were able to connect through Scottish Rite to do something like this,” said Goolsby’s mom, Ashley Zamberlan.
“They get to come, have fun, build new friendships, meet people who may be like them in some ways,” said recreational therapist Nicole Lewandowski.
Lewandowski said this group of 8- to 16-year-olds is part of Rite Moves, an adaptive, therapeutic dance camp for Scottish Rite patients.
The kids have all sorts of physical or neurological conditions. For many, this is their first time being included.
“It just made me feel great,” Goolsby said.
“They don’t even realize that they’re really staying active or doing a ton of exercise because they’re having so much fun,” Lewandowski said.
After practicing all week, on the final day of camp the kids performed in front of family, hospital staff and other patients.
It may have been their first time dancing, but certainly not the last.
“I love dancing now,” Goolsby said. “It’s my new thing.”
“They’re not just in the background, but they get to be the star of the show so I think that really gets to build their confidence,” said Lewandowski.
Goolsby said it did, indeed, build her confidence. So much so, she’s already planning her next dance.
“Maybe when I get home I’ll probably do it again in front of my stuffed animals,” she said.
Creating a place for others is always a good move.