Class Doesn’t Start Until She Arrives
Posted by Allison Hammond on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
One of our former colleagues at The Arcadia Institute, Sara Burhans, now an enthusiastic Zumba instructor shared this story.
Class can’t start without Rey. The music is cued, the Zumba participants are in rows, but the class can’t start until Rey arrives and takes her place in the front row. In fact, the other students won’t let Sara start class without being sure that Rey will be in class.
Rey is a young woman with Down Syndrome. She is quiet and shy. Rarely does she speak to the others in the Zumba class, but when the music starts Rey transforms into a confident woman. She knows the moves and does her best. While the rest of the students vie for the back row because they are self-conscious, Rey claims her place in the front proudly shaking her sparkly coin skirt.
Rey’s mother Lynda started taking her to Zumba classes at Curves where Sara taught. When Sara started teaching for Portage Community Education, Lynda and Rey followed her to those classes as well. Now Lynda doesn’t always attend because Zumba is Rey’s thing and the people in the class are part of Rey’s community.
Growing up with a brother with disabilities taught Lynda that community inclusion is important. It probably never occurred to her not to find ways for her daughter to be included in the community.
This is a story of community participation that is really not anything special. No one questioned whether or not Rey would be successful, or asked if she should be in a special class. Her mom took her, Sara taught her and now she has found a way to express herself and be a role model for the others in her Zumba class.
(What is Zumba? Visit http://www.zumba.com/about/ for more information.)
Article Comments
Kathryn Johnston says:
Rey is my granddaughter and I couldn’t be more proud of both she and her mother, my daughter. She loves the zumba class and being a part of the group.
Thanks for the article and the picture. Keep your halo polished and adjusted.
Grandma Johnston
Jane Dyszkiewicz says:
I am a friend of Rey’s. I am never surprised at what she can do. She is dedicated and determined and oh how she enjoys music and dance. I have always been proud to be her friend. Thanks for including me in this e-mail. Have fun Rey!
Cari Carpenter says:
I am Sara Burhan’s uncle’s wife. I loved reading this story about Rey as my husband and I have three children with special needs. Sara’s ability to love, understand, and motivate them have no boundaries. I wish we lived closer to take our oldest daughter to Zumba, which she also loves. She would love for Sara to be her Zumba instructor! Go Rey!
Heidi Wrigley says:
Rey is the reason I went back to school to get my master’s in Special Education so that I could be with students like Rey everyday. She has inspired many of us in many ways and taught us all to view life differently. Since moving to Indiana 9 yrs ago I don’t get to see Rey as much as I’d like. She sure used her Zumba moves at our daughter’s wedding in October on the dance floor! And like Rey has inspired me before she may be the reason why I take up Zumba!
Sara Della-Coletta says:
Having recently participated in a Zumba class with Rey, I can attest to the fact that she Zumbas with zest and certainly puts my attempts to shame!She has been a very special “Rey” of sunshine in my life for many years now, and I always look forward to our time together. Interestingly enough, even though I was her first grade teacher,the roles have been reversed and she has ended up teaching me more about life than any classroom or textbook could hope to do.Thanks for a heart-warming story about a heart-warmer of a young lady! I am so proud of you, Rey My Love!
Esther Burnside says:
I am one of Rey’s teachers at Portage Northern and I just want to say… Rey, you sparkle every day! Love, Mrs. B.
Carol Braksick says:
I am so glad you recognized Rey, a very deserving young lady! She has to be very motivating to the rest of her Zumba class, just like she motivates everyone who knows her!
Laurie Callander says:
Go Rey!! Love, Aunt Laurie
Susan says:
I have also had the pleasure of sharing the dance floor with Rey in a few Zumba classes. She is quite the “mover and shaker”. She does a fine job keeping up the instructor and has a grand time. She also looks pretty darn good with her coins and “bling”. We all have a fun time, and Rey leads the way. Go Rey!
Rob Bauckham says:
Rey is my daughter. Thanks for the article. She does love her Zumba! She is also on the area Special Olympics gymnastics team, and loves to bowl.
February 9th, 2012 at 8:00 am ::