An Inclusive Nutcracker

I saw The Nutcracker yesterday with my mom and brother (whose wife is having a little girl! YAY!!). It was beautiful and magical and wonderful, just as it should be. But do you know what was most memorable for me? A little boy in the Christmas party scene at the beginning. It took me a few minutes to notice him, but once I did, I couldn't take my eyes off of him, and I had goosebumps from his performance. He looked around 8 or 9, and had the biggest smile ever. He was so into character, and was chatting with the other adult characters, playing his character to the "T". He nodded when he was supposed to, moved his arms around when he was suppose to, and looked excitedly at the toy he was given. He was right in the middle of everything, other children performers on either side of him during the sequences that featured the children. And he was in a wheelchair. The more I watched, the more I realized he probably has a diagnosis of something like cerebral palsy - his arm movements were stiff, his arms didn't extend all the way. The most wonderful thing about watching him, aside from his sheer joy at performing on stage, was how included he was. He was seated in a period appropriate wheelchair. The dancer playing his mother moved him around the stage appropriately, and like I said before, he was included appropriately in all of the children's pieces. It was awesome. I couldn't help thinking while I was watching that scene, that this is probably a thrill of a lifetime for him. Such a wonderful, normal experience for him to have, and such an awesome example to the other children in the ballet that people with special needs have the same interests and desires as they do. That is why I'm so passionate about inclusion - because when children grow up with special needs people in their daily lives, it becomes the norm instead of the exception.

So thanks to the ballet company for reminding us that inclusion is in all facets of life, not just school.