World's Best Dance Party, Ever!

Sarah Farnell, one of SPLORE’s amazing summer interns, reflects on her experiences working with people with disabilities, rafting and the magic of life-changing accessible recreation.

In July of 2007 I was honored to participate in the World’s Best Dance Party, Ever. It all began one fateful evening on an overnight rafting trip on the beautiful Colorado River. After a fun-filled day of braving the rapids, we settled down at camp to relax and have dinner. This is where the excitement of a typical rafting program might end; at SPLORE, however; this is where the excitement begins…

To truly appreciate the magic of the World’s Best Dance Party, Ever you have to know a thing or two about SPLORE and about the people who participate in our programs. I didn’t know too much about rafting before I started working with SPLORE. I thought I knew a few things though: rafting is dangerous and you have to be a great athlete to do it, right? Turns out, I was wrong for the first time Ever ;-)

Some of our clients are world class athletes; one is even training for the next Paralympics. I’ve learned that rafting is an extremely adaptable sport. Done right it can also be a very safe activity. Throughout my summer working at SPLORE, I have seen people with spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, developmental disabilities, and social and emotional challenges participate in SPLORE’S rafting program. Some clients sat back and enjoyed the ride and others jumped right in and helped row the boats.

OK, Back to the World’s Best Dance Party, Ever …

One particular trip that I was a part of is a good example of the mix of people that participate in SPLORE activities. Everyone ranged in age from early 20’s to late 60’s. Some of us had physical disabilities, some of us had developmental disabilities, and some of us were dealing with illnesses and emotional issues. What in the world did we have in common? Some people might think there was nothing a group of such diverse people could connect through, but that’s the beauty of SPLORE and the “World’s Best Dance Party, Ever!” Gordo, a SPLORE staff member John, a volunteer, provided rhythm for the dance party on their guitars. The rest of us provided percussion from instruments we had made and found and together we all danced! One of the clients was sad that she couldn’t hear the music because of her hearing loss, but Cara, a SPLORE staff member, taught her to “feel the music” through the vibrations. We danced and danced however we wanted to: from our lawn chairs, our wheelchairs, or on our feet. I’m only going to say this once: there is no “right” way to dance and don’t ever let anyone tell you differently!

I forgot to tell you about myself. I am an intern with SPLORE. Another thing about me is that I lost my sister to cancer in January. My whole world fell apart in that moment and I am still trying to pick myself back up. I have often felt disconnected from the world since then. Why am I telling you this? Because during the dance party, watching everyone laugh and dance and “feel the music,” I didn’t feel disconnected anymore. I let down my barriers. And that, to me, is what SPLORE is all about: tearing down barriers. Tearing down physical barriers that make outdoor recreation inaccessible to people with disabilities; tearing down financial barriers that make outdoor recreation monetarily inaccessible; and finally, tearing down interpersonal barriers that keep people apart from each other because of preconceived ideas about difference.

THAT is the magic of SPLORE!!!