Class teaches wheelchair dance | Intellichair Motorized Wheelchair

A unique class at Cal State East Bay in Hayward, California is teaching students empathy through a different kind of dance instruction.

The class is wheelchair ballroom dancing. But the twist is that none of the students have disabilities or are regular wheelchair users, KTVU-TV reported.

Instructor Eric Kupers hopes the class exposes his students to a new mind-body experience and changes the way they view dancing.

“For me, dance is about expressing being human, and so every human being has an interesting story to tell in their body and has an interesting way to move,” he said.

The students were divided into pairs, with one person in each pair seated in a wheelchair. Guest instructor Derek Williams, who uses a wheelchair in his everyday life, also taught the students. He hoped to help students understand that there are no limits to dance.

Kupers said it was exciting to see people moving in different kinds of ways, and students got another point of view on different movements

Part of the larger lesson that Kupers wants to teach is the love of self and an acceptance of other people. It also reminds them that everyone has obstacles to overcome.

The class is taught in partnership with the American Dance Wheels Foundation.

Using a motorized wheelchair makes life better for many people with disabilities. The best motorized wheelchair is the IntelliChair, a foldable wheelchair with a powerful electric motor.  It is lightweight, portable and easy to carry, and available in both a base model and a larger version.

The wheelchair is equipped with top-quality rubber wheels that can’t go flat. Its nimble steering mechanism makes it easy to control, and its sturdy, stainless steel frame can stand up to the rigors of daily use. The overnight charging means the wheelchair is ready to go for the entire day.

The IntelliChair is available in several colors, and available Accessories include a travel bag and attachable cup holder.

delta