To Help Fighting Juvenile Arthritis, Dancers Put on Their Dancing Shoes
Holly Madsen dream of becoming a dancer was cut short when she was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Now she wants to help find a cure for this disease that changes the lives of children forever.
In 2009, she was crowned Miss Layton with the platform to raise awareness and find a cure for the disease. With this in mind, she organized a fundraiser "Never bend a dance for those who can not ... a dream for those who can," held at Layton High School, with local dancers.
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a debilitating disease that occurs when the immune system attacks the joints, causing pain and joint inflammation, which can lead to joint damage and deformities. It affects about 300,000 children under 18 years, said Madsen."It's 300,000 children who are forced to change their lives and in most cases, the change of their dreams," said Madsen. "I know because I was one of them. When I was a kid, I loved the dance, my mother put her music and I ran around the living room waving my arms and my hips bop. When I was 7 years old my parents enrolled me in tap, jazz , ballet and gymnastics. A month later I was diagnosed with JRA and the doctors told my parents that I was not able to participate in these activities.
"My dream of becoming a dancer was cut short and I was faced with a possible future of life in a wheelchair. No child, no person should ever have to modify their dreams because they are physically unable to perform, "she said.
Although childhood dream Madsen did not realize the same dream of 8 years Charlotte McEwen is realized. Charlotte was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis when she was 3 years old, but she still wanted to dance and his parents Mark and Janalynn McEwen helped her achieve this dream by allowing him to take dance lessons .
Charlotte was not originally part of the program, but when Janalynn Read about the event in the newspaper, she knew her daughter to dance at the event.
Janalynn says she does not know why she was so impressed to find a way for his young daughter to dance at the event, but she felt she had to find a way.
After a few phone calls, she talked with Madsen and Charlotte has been on the dance program.
"I want others to know that even with a debilitating disease, such as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, they can still do many things," said Janalynn.
Also performing for the fundraiser were sisters Katelynn and Kimberlee Beck, who has danced in honor of their father, Sgt. Curtis Beck, who returned from Afghanistan on Friday. He was surprised when introduced to the audience and, as has been acknowledged the audience stood up, giving him a standing ovation.
Three years of Jazz Dancer Studios made with Tom Buchmiller tea and Natalie Morgan Koning, Ashlie Maughn, Tristin Hampshire, Tyler Smith and Katelyn Rawson, Riley Speth, Madison Maughn, Mazie Cox and Layton and Davis Lancelle OF Ettes. The Lancelle Michelle Reed called people from the audience to teach them to dance to a year "down".
"I'm not a biochemist, and I can not change the chemicals that react with the body to cure this disease but I can raise money for those who have the intelligence to do so. My goal is to raise $ 10,000 to help find a cure for this disease, "said Madsen.
Anyone can make a donation to the America First Credit Union Account "Never bend - Holly Madsen.
"If we do not bend, we find a cure," said Madsen.
