Why I Dance

I made this video to share how I got into swing dancing and why I love dancing, even with the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis (which makes dancing difficult sometimes). The video has lots of great footage from dancing in Seattle from 2005-present and features some great lindy hoppers from Seattle and around the country. I hope it inspires everyone to dance, no matter what challenge you face!

(I also made the video to enter in this contest: http://www.seattlevintagejazzdance.com/video_contest/)

*** Correction - Lucy's last name is Baggett, not Palma :-)

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• swing dance
• lindy hop
• dance
• rheumatoid Arthritis
• arthritis
• inspirational

[physikerin]

I love love love it, Cher. :)

[realcherylcrow]

@physikerin :-) :-) :-)

[mittlemouse]

Wonderful, Cheryl. You've done a great job, and a great service. Yes, dancing is indeed both a physical and mental "therapy." Keep it up!  Jesse

[realcherylcrow]

@mittlemouse Thanks, Jesse, for always inspiring me to smile on and off the dance floor, I'm so glad you enjoyed the movie and thanks for letting me include footage of you from the New Orleans restaurant in Seattle~

[pihjin]

This is cool! I have arthritis (mild) and my best friend has severe rheumatoid arthritis. I find swing dance helps me keep my joints moving and once I know my limits (re. aerials especially) I can fully enjoy it as a form of exercise. My friend doesn't dance but she does the best she can. her main fear is she won't be able to pick up and play with her children when she has them. But she doesn't complain and she lives her life to the full. Just like you :)

[realcherylcrow]

@pihjin I'm so glad to hear dancing helps you, I was hoping to find others who also have arthritis and dance despite it! I understand your friend's fear regarding picking up her children, at some point you do have to prioritize your activities. I'm glad to hear she lives life to the full as well, it's great to hear other peoples' experiences and perspectives. Thanks again for the support!!

[twinkle3787]

beautiful! May God bless you in all your future goals!

[SummerSolsticeGirl]

@pihjin oh hey! I didn't know that. Wish I had know when you were here so we could have shared stories :)

[SummerSolsticeGirl]

@realcherylcrow as someone who has been in pain since the age of 11, I can very much relate to you. Swing dancing brings me much joy and I will never give it up no matter how much in pain I am :)

All the best and hope that perhaps one day we'll run into each other on some dance floor!

A one and a two and you know what to do... :)

[dgenge66]

Wow, moving and inspiring! Thank you so much for sharing your story!

[77annette77]

My daughter is 13 and also has arthritis. I'm so amazed with you!! Thank you so much for sharing and showing that this disease shouldn't stop you from doing the things you love. She loves basketball and she's also a swimmer. This is just another lesson in pushing forward! Keep dancing!