Disabled Dancer Dreams Of Rome

EUGENE, OR — Kelcie Laube won't let her disability hinder her dreams. A professional dancer and teaching assistant for DanceAbility International, Kelcie wants to show everyone who shares her condition — and the world — that having Cerebral Palsy does not mean you can't achieve your goals, whatever they may be.

Kelcie and her family recently created a GoFundMe account to help Kelcie raise the money she needs to attend a month-long class in Rome, Italy, to become a certified teacher of the DanceAbility Methodology — the study of movement improvisation for all people, according to Kelcie's mother Sharon.

"The DanceAbility Method of teaching allows everyone to learn together and from each other equally, regardless of ability or disability," Sharon said. "Our goal is to create a culture of dance that aims to eliminate isolation and work as a community through expression. We practice the 'art of being together.'"

In June 2016, Kelcie attended a five-day training on DanceAbility, Sharon said, noting the training in Rome as the next step toward Kelcie's career goal.

With more than 600 teachers in over 40 countries, the 30-year-old DanceAbility International company aims "to dissolve barriers and connect people with and without disabilities through dance and movement," according to its website. "This mission is accomplished through classes, workshops and events for adults and children, performances, teacher trainings and educational materials for teachers of inclusive dance."

Kelcie, who began dancing at 3 years old, was first introduced to the company's founder, Alito Alessi, during a workshop she attended when she was 6.

"A year later my parents took me to a DanceAbility show at Lane Community College and I loved it," she said. "Alito and I became friends within those two meetings. I went to every community show that they had for 12 years and every show was so amazing to me."

Roughly 14 years later, Kelcie worked her way into an assistant position and is now aiming for a teaching role.

"I actually didn’t realize how much DanceAbility has had an impact on my life until late last year," Kelcie wrote on her blog, "Life With Cerebral Palsy," in February.

"A couple months ago I was doing an interview with a journalist major from the University of Oregon, who’s also a friend of mine, and it wasn’t until he asked the question 'how has DanceAbility helped you grow as either a dancer or a person?' [that] I realized … it wasn’t until I started working with DA that I started to find self-acceptance," Kelcie said. "Being the only disabled dancer at both of my studios, I was conscious about how I moved and to be honest I still am sometimes.

"DanceAbility does not make you feel different if you have a movement disorder," she continued. "We turn it into a common ground and we make it art. We see the abilities of disabilities and for me, I had always believed that too, but I still compared myself to my friends and the older dancers...as does every other dancer. DanceAbility has helped me not be so conscious about my disability."

In April, Kelcie reached her GoFundMe goal for attending the class; now she's asking for help to afford the trip itself — $9,265.

"Attending this training is the next step in Kelcie’s dance career and will give her much more knowledge to work with people in DanceAbility's teen and adult classes," Sharon said on GoFundMe. "After this training Kelcie will be able to teach classes based on the Method. This is a huge step for her as a dancer and as a leader.

"I hope you will consider funding Kelcie’s trip to Rome!" she continued. "By donating to this fund you will help (Kelcie) pay for traveling, the training, housing and meals. Thank you in advance for your support!"

Click here to help Kelcie reach Rome

Image via Sharon Laube, GoFundMe

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