By Rosalie Westenskow
Although the BYU Ballroom Dance Company may appear elegant on stage, the dancers dropped that fa?ade last Thursday night, Feb. 16, 2006, as they mixed and mingled with a group of rather unlikely individuals.
For the past five years, the company has collaborated with Recreation and Habilitation Services to put on a dinner, dance and performance for members of the organization. The Recreation and Habilitation Services is an organization that provides opportunities and activities for individuals with disabilities.
On Thursday night, 58 disabled individuals from RAH came to BYU to enjoy an evening with the Ballroom Company, an event that has proven to be highly popular.
'They look forward to this every year,' said Nicole Tatom, RAH''s recreation leader. 'This is the one time they can dance with people outside of RAH and it''s OK.'
The members of RAH who attended the event smiled enthusiastically and many of them chatted with the ballroom dancers, sharing stories and laughs.
Allen Bahr, a member of RAH for more than 10 years, eagerly introduced himself, proudly displaying his new cell phone.
The dancers and their guests ate dinner together, and then gathered on the floor for some group dances, called mixers. The ballroom dancers assisted those who needed help - in one case two dancers held up one of their guests so she could participate. Getting the steps right took second place to having fun, and the faces of all involved displayed wide smiles.
After the mixers, different ballroom teams performed a variety of dances, including the Viennese Waltz, Quickstep, Lindy Hop and Mambo.
'It''s probably my favorite ballroom event,' said Laurel Snow, a junior who performed in the Cha Cha.
Snow has attended the activity twice before and said she enjoys performing for the members of RAH.
'I think it''s fun because no matter what we do they cheer,' said Snow, a geography teaching major. 'That boosts our confidence, which makes us perform better.'
Snow also said some of the RAH members come back every year to shake a leg.
'It''s just fun to get to know them,' she said.
RAH member Susan Shaffer, one of the many who keep coming back, said she likes watching the ballroom dancers perform.
As a member of RAH since 1996, Shaffer said the events sponsored by the organization have helped her meet new people.
The support Shaffer said she has received from the organization extends beyond the fun activities and social events provided. For example, when Shaffer moved into her own apartment, RAH Executive Director Kathy Edwards helped her adapt to life on her own.
'I''ve been on my own for a little over a year,' Shaffer said. 'I was really nervous about it and she helped me understand what to do.'
The organization provides activities and classes for individuals with disabilities who are over the age of four. Services provided by RAH include social recreational activities, educational classes, family support and employment services.
Members of RAH sign up for the activities, in which they want to participate, and pay a minimal fee for each event they attend. The organization currently has a membership of approximately 150 individuals, but the total enrollment for all the events provided in a one-month period exceeds 1100.
All of the members have some form of mental disability and a few have physical disabilities as well, said Cheryl Adamson, assistant director of the organization.
'Most of our participants are considered mild or moderately disabled,' she said.
Members have a wide variety of disabilities, including Down syndrome and Autism.
The organization''s mission statement states that 'RAH is committed to supporting people with disabilities in their pursuit of independence and self-enhancement through training, recreation and involvement in their community.'
The organization receives all of its support from community members, donations and grants, the United Way of Utah County and the contributions and fees paid by participants for activities.
(For comments, e-mail Rosalie Westenskow at rosaliec@byu.net)