News / Disabled dancer makes his move DISABLED DANCER MAKES HIS MOVE By Laila Majiet Photo : Supplied 2013-09-10 09:00 DANCING PAIR: Shahied Johnson and Aimee Johnson during a practice session. A dance duo may miss the beat due to a lack of funds and support. Having split for a few years, this winning couple is back together and more ready than ever to create magic on the dance floor. They may seem like unlikely partners, but when Shahied Johnson (42) and Aimee Johnson (26) dance, gold is but a trot away. The pair are preparing to take to the stage at the Fedansa National Dance Sport Championships in Durban at the end of this year. But with more than a few pennies short, they worry they may not make it to dance at the national championships held between 12 and 14 December. Johnson (42) was born with spina bifida, a disorder which leaves part of the spinal cord open. He is paralysed from the hip down, but this has never stopped him from doing what he loves. With a passion for dance, the wheelchair-bound man from Montrose Park sways to the rhythm of the music with his able-bodied partner. He has been dancing competitively for 11 years. “My partner and I put in a lot of hard work and it would break our hearts if we were not able to make our dreams come true because of a lack of finances,” he explains. The couple are appealing to the public to assist and help fly them to Durban and bring back gold. Shahied is a member of the Chaeli Sports and Recreation Club, a sub division of the Chaeli Campaign which runs eight programmes in support of children with disabilities. The organisation’s Zelda Mycroft says the main focus of their programmes is the importance of inclusion in growing accepting communities and seeing ability in a different way. The Chaeli Sports and Recreation Club, a separate NPO founded in 2010, focuses on dance sport for the disabled and currently has 20 dancers who regularly participate in monthly competitions. These dancers will all participate in the national championships hosted in Durban in December. Getting a group of this size to Durban is going to be a challenge on many fronts, Mycroft says. “This is why we appeal to the public to assist and help give our participants the opportunity to live their dreams.” A discounted rate for flights has been arranged, but is only up for offer for a short period of time, Shahied says. “To get the discounted rate we urgently need to secure R1400 so that I can fly to Durban and return home. I have a family to support and am unable to carry these costs on my own. The help of the community would go a long way in allowing me to live my passion,” he explains. Aimee says dancing with Shahied is an absolute job and challenge as an able-bodied person. “We were partners for four years before I took an eight-year break from dancing. It is a lot of hard work, but also very rewarding. When we take to the floor, Shahied’s face just lights up. We have a truly special connection when we dance. It is almost indescribable,” she says. Call the Chaeli Campaign on 0861242354 or email [email protected] to offer your assistance.
Posted on: Tue, 10 Sep 2013 13:25:25 +0000
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