From her wheelchair, a child raises rounded arms above her head to form. a blossoming flow
er. Nearby, a blind boy gently waves a flowing scarf as his body sways back and forth. Welcome to Infinite Dreams, a southern California program that each year helps more than 1,000 children with disabilities learn ballet, jazz, and other forms of movement. For founder Zina Bethune, a professional dancer and actress who works with a team of six instructors, this is a deeply felt mission.
"I've walked a very fine line between the abled and disabled worlds all' my life," says Bethune, a former soloist with the New York City Ballet who starred on Broadway in Tommy Tune's production of Grand Hotel. Born and raised in New York City, Bethune, 47, started formal ballet training at age 6 with legendary choreographer George Balanchine. But during adolescence, a host of medical problems mined her chances of becoming a prima ballerina. But she ignored them and her pain and continued to dance. Faced with all sorts of difficulties, she never gave up. By the time she was 34, Bethune had went gone two hip replacements.
Bethune, who has been married for 18 years to a former dancer, started Infinite Dreams in southern California in 1983. "Dance is spiritual," she says. "And these children's spirits are not disabled." Funded through grants and private donations, the group offers hour-long weekly sessions in schools and performs at arts festivals throughout the year.
"Participation, not perfection, is emphasized," notes Bethune, who is currently trying to make her program available nationally. Adjustments to the dance steps are made as needed. Russell Bartel, 14, a star student with spina bifida and little feeling in his lower legs, pirouettes not by turning on his toes but by spinning on his back. "What we try to make clear," Bethune says, "is that their individual version of any step is valid. That's their dance."
From that understanding often springs a newfound sense of confidence. "I can do a lot more than I ever thought I could." Bartel says. "It makes me feel great."
What kind of organization is Infinite Dreams?
A.A dancing club in southern California.
B.A program to realize the art dreams for disabled children.
C.A proposal to perform. arts for disabled children.
D.A team of professional dancers and actresses.