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Brian Tullius, a fourth year medical student at UNMC, dances with his buddy, 13-year-old Braydee, at a dance held at UNMC’s Student Life Center on Jan. 19. Tullius volunteered to help with the dance, as did his girlfriend, Kristin O’Neill, a professional basketball player in Spain who was visiting Omaha. |
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The band Bittersweet provided the rock and roll music for the crowd of approximately 200 at the “Winter Wonderland Dance.” |
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Each attendee at the dance received a complimentary photo dressed in their “royal” attire. |
The dance was the first community partnership event between the C. Louis Meyer Foundation Board, the Ollie Webb Center, the City of Omaha Department of Parks and Recreation Therapeutic Recreation and the Omaha Down Syndrome Parents Network.
The band Bittersweet helped the crowd work up a sweat by providing live music on a night when temperatures dipped into the single digits.
“It was one of coldest days of the year and to have a total number of 208 (attendees) was awesome,” said Rick Boldt, president of the C. Louis Meyer Foundation. “The people just kept coming and coming; it was just phenomenal.”
The highlight of the event was the volunteerism shown by students from UNMC, Creighton University and Mercy High School, Boldt said.
“There was an overwhelming response of people wanting to help,” he said, adding that it meant a lot to the children and adults with special needs in attendance.
“A lot of times, the activities for children and adults with special needs are few and far between,” Boldt said. “The dance gave them something to do where they could go out and have a good time. It also gave families and caretakers time to rest.”
To help foster more integration and understanding of those with disabilities, Boldt invites all UNMC employees to attend possible future dances. Tentative plans call for another dance to be held in March.
The following are quotes compiled by dance volunteer Sylvia France from parents of individuals who attended the dance.
“We told our son Joey that this dance was his prom. With a live band, dressy attire and beautiful decorations, this dance had all the trimmings of a prom at any high school in Omaha. Going to a prom held special significance to Joey, since he saw his brothers get ready for their proms at Creighton Prep. We were not sure if we could provide the same opportunity for him since his school does not have a prom.”
Amy Wennighoff, mother of 17-year-old Joey Wenninghoff
“It can be difficult for disabled teens and adults to socialize, even at events designed for them. They do not have the social skills to easily interact with each other. Disabled teens and adults do not have a lot opportunity to be with non-special needs individuals since they are often grouped with peers in group work and recreational programs.”
Paul Wenninghoff, Joey’s father
“A live band increases the excitement level of any event. Like other young adults,
David does not want to spend Saturday night with his mother, but wants to get out with his peers. Everyone who attended the dance just wanted to enjoy the special atmosphere created by bringing different groups of ‘special and unique’ people together.”
Jan Desciscio, whose 26-year-old son, David, attended the dance
“It is difficult to find events for disabled teens. (Braydee) was so excited about the dance; she enjoys dressing up, meeting new people and socializing. As parents, we would have been glad to stay with her, at the same time she needs her independence and we need a break.”
Julie Carlson, mother of 13-year-old dance attendee Braydee