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We started in Amstelveen, in the group of Corrie van Hugten and Ondine de Hullu. In the beginning we didn't have a wheelchair of our own, but where lucky to borrow one. We started dancing, but at first it was nog very successful. But as usual; if you go on trying, in the end you will succeed.
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This way we learned the slow waltz and quickstep and later on also the other dances.
Once the group in Amstelveen grew very big, we started - together with some other dancers
and instructors - our own group with the name "Walking Wheels' stichting rolstoeldansen.
I also informed if people in Lisse where interested in wheelchair dancing. And they where, so
later a group was started there as well, under the name Lucky Seven. Nowadays I am not involved
in that group anymore.
The group in Aalsmeer had to move due to circumstances. For a while the group found here place with the group in Burgerveen (FIROPA) We had a good time. But in the end we wanted to continue with our own location. This became De Aanloop in Hoofddorp. We do like this place very much and dance here, with a lot of pleasure, for many years already. We hope to continue for a long time.
For more information about handicap.nl have a look at there website.
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Since 2007 i follow the wheelchair dancing lessons at "Walking Wheels" stichting
rolstoeldansen.
In 2007 I visited the group, to see how everything was over there, and I never left.
Besides dancing I play wheelchair badminton and I swam on a high (national and international)
level for years.
The board asked me to take over the job of treasurer and I said yes. I hope to fulfill this job with a lot of pleasure!
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Years ago (in 1986) I visited the dancing group of Gerda Vinkenborg, located in Vreugdehof, Amsterdam. There I started wheelchair dancing myself. Soon I accompanied Gerda and her dancing partner to Stichting Rolstoeldansen Amstelveen and danced there as a able-bodied partner. After a few years in active dancing I decided to learn more about dancing background, and wheelchair dance technics. So I started the training for being an instructor's assistand and after that, instructor.
At first I assisted in Amstelveen's lessons. Later on I was instructor of one of the dancing groups in Amstelveen. In 1997 I started as an instructor for "Walking Wheels" stichting rolstoeldansen. In 1999 I decided to concentrate on "Walking Wheels".
Besides the dancing group I have been secretary of the NAVRO for over 4,5 years. An interesting
job where I got the opportunity to learn how other organizations work (think about SRN, other
dancing groups, NebasNsg) and where I had the responsibility to think about and work at the way the
national organization should go.
In 2004 I left the NAVRO-committee to spend all my time and energy in our own dancing group.
And so far, with a lot of pleasure, I am overhead active for "Walking Wheels" (i.e. lessons, but
also organizing the medal test, new years party, visiting competitions, etc).
Throughout the years I was asked as an adjudicator at local medal tests organized by several dancing groups throughout the region. I always find this a difficult but great job to do and I feel very honored!
When I came to have a look at Walking Wheels in 2004, as result of an article in het Witte Weekblad, i had some years of dancing experience behind me. So far without any wheelchair. In 1989 I started ballroom dancing at Dansschool Van Wordragen in Hoofddorp, later this school continued under a new owner andthe new name of Hesta. All those years I danced with pleasure, assisted during lessons because of a lake of gentleman and danced competition. Short after closing of Hesta I took the opportunity to join a lesson of Walking Wheels.
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As many of you know; from one thing comes the other en before you know you are musical assistant with one group, duo partner in the next and are you able bodied partner in combi dancing en do you dance competition. So far, still clear. But than they ask you to start the education for being (assistant) instructor wheelchair dancing. After two years of heavy but cozy course weekends the education is round up with exams and an official diploma.
Since then Maureen and I take care of the lessons together, but also demonstrations. These are every time again a surprise, teasing and great to do.
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Here comes Cynthia's introduction
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After heart surgery in 1997 I became parralised at the right side of my body and since than
I am a wheelchair user.
Besides yoga I enjoy wheelchair dancing at Walking Wheels since 1999, together with my husband
Gerard.
The board asked me in 2000 to become there new treasurer. I directly responded with yes.
I had to learn the job, but the other board members helped me with that.
I expect to enjoy dancing at Walking Wheels for the coming years and I do hope to fulfill my
job in the board with the same pleasure.
NB: Per 1 July 2009 Wendy de Nieuwe took over the job from Lenie. We are lucky that Lenie (and Gerard) where positive to help us in the commission of activity.
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