The Straits Times
Section: Home
June 20, 2008
By Sumathi V. Selvaretnam
This year's NDP to celebrate inclusion; features S'poreans from all walks of life
MR RAYMOND Lim whirls his partner across the dance floor, shimmying to the infectious beat of the samba. He executes a graceful turn and then beams at his partner.
The only difference between him and other ballroom aficionados - he is in a wheelchair.
He and 20 other wheelchair dancers are among the groups performing at this year's National Day Parade (NDP) on Aug 9.
Mr Lim and the members of the D'Passion Wheelchair Dance Group have been rehearsing twice a week at Kampong Ubi Community Club for three months.
'Always go to your 'parking lot'!' barks instructor William Tok at those out of position, and the errant ones wheel back in line sheepishly.
It is less than two months to showtime, and the sessions are intense.
Mr Tok said, despite their handicaps, performers can still show off dance flourishes through upper body movements. The moves are customised to suit the performers' different handicaps.
Mr Lim, a 59-year-old assistant manager in a freight forwarding company, who had polio when he was a baby, has been dancing with the group for three years now.
He said dancing helps him relax after a week of work. The other bonus, he added with a grin: 'I get to hold a girl's hand!'
For the group, participating in the parade has brought them 20 new wheelchairs, courtesy of a $60,000 sponsorship by Sembcorp.
Group co-founder Amy Leng said that during rehearsals, the dancers have made do by sharing six wheelchairs. The 20 new ones - special lightweight sport models that are smoother and more responsive - arrive next week.
Another group of performers are the hearing-impaired from the Touch Silent Club, who will do a dance on spring-loaded stilts.
When strapped on, the devices, known as Powerisers, enable them to hop, skip and jump.
Balancing on them is an art in itself, or so 16-year-old Jack Sim discovered. It took three training sessions before he could even walk on them.
The group has been rehearsing with an interpreter, who uses sign language.
Colonel Tay Boon Kai, NDP show committee chairman, said of the performers: 'Despite their disabilities or age, they are still determined to put up a good show. It's the true Singapore spirit on display.'
Other performers roped into the parade include people at both ends of the age spectrum.
The oldest is 76-year-old retiree Tang Sim Peng, who will perform with members of the Country Line Dance Association.
He said of the experience: 'If I don't grab this opportunity now, who knows whether another will come along?'
The baby of this year's parade, nine-year-old Anirudh Ganesh from Tanjong Katong Primary School, has also been hard at work practising his turn. He has even been singing in front of his mirror for his song-and-dance performance with other pupils of his school.
In line with the push for inclusiveness, the parade organisers have gone out of their way to accommodate spectators with disabilities. A special area has been set aside for wheelchair-bound ticket holders.
