Campus invited to dance for those with disabilities

Brian Tullius, a fourth year medical student at UNMC, dances with his buddy, 13-year-old Braydee, during January’s Winter Wonderland Dance for those with disabilities at UNMC. The campus is invited for another dance for people with disabilities on Saturday at the Student Life Center.

After the last dance held at the UNMC Student Life Center in January for teens and adults with developmental disabilities, Amy Wenninghoff, mother of 17-year-old Joey Wenninghoff, went home and cried.

Tears of joy.

Her son had had the time of his life at the Winter Wonderland dance that his parents told him was his prom.

“Disabled teens and adults do not have a lot of opportunities to be with non-special needs individuals since they are often grouped with peers in group work and recreational programs,” said Joey’s father, Paul Wenninghoff.

Dances like the one in January and the one scheduled for this weekend at the Student Life Center give them that opportunity.

UNMC students and staff as well as employees of The Nebraska Medical Center are invited to a Spring Fling this Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

“It’s really about working with other organizations in Omaha to try to provide a great activity for teens and adults with special needs and anyone else who would love to attend. It’s an event where people get together, enjoy the music and get up on the floor and dance.” Rick Boldt

Sponsored by MMI’s C. Louis Meyer Foundation Board, The City of Omaha Parks and Recreation, The Ollie Webb Center Inc. and The Omaha Down Syndrome Parents Network, the event is all about inclusion.

“It’s really about working with other organizations in Omaha to try to provide a great activity for teens and adults with special needs and anyone else who would love to attend,” said Rick Boldt, president of the C. Louis Meyer Foundation Board. “We’d really like to invite the campus. It’s an event where people get together, enjoy the music and get up on the floor and dance.”

Mary McHale, one of the dance’s organizers, said the dance will show that those with developmental disabilities are more like those without developmental disabilities than not.

“It shows that those with developmental disabilities like to have fun and dance and gives them the opportunity to take part in something that you and I might take for granted,” McHale said.

Free pictures will be taken as a memento for attendees, who are encouraged to dress in casual attire or wear green in honor of upcoming St. Patrick’s Day.

A disc jockey will provide the music and light snacks and refreshments will be served.

The cost to attend the dance is $7 per person. Proceeds will support the sponsoring organizations.

Anyone needing one-to-one assistance must be accompanied by a staff or aide.

For more information and to RSVP contact Dena Launderville at 346-5220, ext. 15 or dlaunderville@olliewebbinc.org.

Click here to download a flyer about the dance.