News-Record.com

A young girl inspired UNCG graduate student Rebekah Smart to create Dancing Above the Barre, a dance class for children with disabilities.

Smart, who has since graduated from UNCG's master of education program, launched the program last spring at the School of Greensboro Ballet.

Three physical therapists help dance instructors, and volunteers assist the dancers with their moves. The children's disabilities include Down syndrome and cerebral palsy.

"In 10 years of physical therapy practice, this is the most exciting thing I've ever done," said pediatric physical therapist Carrie Sawulski, who has been working with DAB since it began in the spring.

"Some of the children require more help than others," she said. "We have some kids who can do without the physical assistance in terms of balance and movements but might for example need help paying attention."

"The barre for these kids is set pretty low, and this (program) is a little chance on Saturday mornings for them to bring themselves above that," said John Dennis, the director of ballet school for 12 years.

Eight girls participated in the program last spring. The fall class has 18 participants, including one boy. They come from Colfax, Pleasant Garden, Whitsett, High Point, McLeansville and Summerfield to take the class.

Dennis has already scheduled another session for spring 2009.

When Smart began thinking about the program, she asked organizations at UNCG if they wanted to participate. Girls Reaching Out, started in 2006 to uplift, inspire and encourage young women through mentoring and leadership, stepped in.

Last spring, eight volunteers attended the classes every Saturday, and this year they have 20. The group tries to get different students to attend each semester so they all have the opportunity to participate.

"We loved the program," said Erica Hall, vice president of GRO. "When we first started, we were a little uncomfortable because of the disabilities. We weren't sure how to help them and were worried about hurting them. But once we started working with the girls it went really well."

The women of GRO were excited about the final performance.

"There were no seats left," Hall said. "Parents had to stand by the stage, and they were crying. It was very emotional, and the girls were just so excited and happy to be able to show it to an audience. All of (GRO) had a tear in their eye."

Smart said she knew the program would be good for the community, but "I was unaware of the significance it would hold for each dancer and each family. I was touched to hear the positive feedback from families and to see the pride of each dancer during their classes and performances."

Smart works for Stafford County Public Schools in Stafford, Va., as a preschool teacher for young children with autism.

"(The class has) started a lot of awareness for these kids and for (the) need for a class like this. We anticipate this expanding greatly," Dennis said. "We've had tons of people making donations and calling to volunteer."

Contact Lili Johnson at 412-5929 or lili.johnson@news-record.com.