‘Kids with DS stretch their abilities in Toledo Ballet’s program’

From the Toledo Blade:
The Toledo Ballet has launched an adaptive ballet program to help children with Down syndrome enjoy the benefits of dance.

Ann Heckler (left, with student Caitlin McFerron) started the class after visiting an adaptive dance program started by the Boston Ballet and the Department of Physical Therapy at Children’s Hospital in Boston.

The Toledo program aims for improvement in the children’s social and physical skills and emotional well-being, but parents say it gives their children something else: the opportunity to enjoy themselves. “She really glows when I say it’s time for dance,” one mom said of her daughter. “This is just for her, just for fun.”