Danielle Stitfall (Gosnells) and Andrew Liddawi (Quinns Rocks).
Camera IconDanielle Stitfall (Gosnells) and Andrew Liddawi (Quinns Rocks). Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey

Ballroom Fit Para Dance classes a first for WA

Bronwyn DonovanSouthern Gazette

PARA Dance is giving Andrew Liddawi a new outlook on his ability to “shake it like a Polaroid picture”.

Mr Liddawi was left paralysed after a mountain biking accident in 2008 and has since founded Break the Boundary, a WA-based charity promoting healthier and happier living through use of adaptive off-road cycles and enabling people of all abilities to engage in mountain biking.

Despite his achievements, however he has never felt comfortable partaking in any professional classes until he found Ballroom Fit’s Para Dance lessons.

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“I come from a cultural background that puts a strong emphasis on music and dancing to connect with family and friends but the more I tried to be a part of social dancing, the sadder I felt,” he said.

Fellow classmate Danielle Stitfall said Para Dance had given her a new confidence especially after their performance at the 2018 Night of Stars National Dance Sport Championship in Joondalup.

Liddawi said he had never felt so popular among a huge crowd.

“We rolled off the dance floor only to be welcomed with excitement and applause,” he said.

“Dancesport is intense. It requires focus, persistence, patience, problem solving, physical and mental endurance, and forces me to go into uncharted territory. “I want to explore new dances and continue to ask myself ‘what else can I make this chair do?’”

Para Dance classes run for adults at Manning Senior Citizens Centre, Manning and for children at Herb Graham Recreation Centre, Mirrabooka.