A place to stay for families of very ill children

Ronald McDonald House is a home away from home for families of children with critical illness.  Treatments may last for several weeks, either as a follow up for surgery or on-going therapy.  Children in critical condition awaiting organ transplants stay at RMH to be close to the hospital if an organ becomes available.  Rooms are reduced and meals are provided by volunteers.  But children need more than a room with their families and sustenance.  They need to be able to keep experiencing as much of childhood as possible.  That was the reason that Dance To Live! offered dance/yoga and movement therapy to residents of Ronald McDonald House.  Our once a week, onsite classes, offer exercise and fun all at the same time.  We structure the classes around interactive games that involve cooperation, coordination, participation and good humor.  Everyone may participate at whatever level he or she is comfortable.  Sometimes side effects of surgery or treatments dictate that a child remain seated while participating - but still they are a part of the group and share  friendship and fun with other class participants.  Each class is dictated by the ages and abilities of the children currently staying at RMH.  If we have a class of children awaiting transplants or having recently undergone difficult surgeries, then there may be less stretching and more gentle movement and calming breathing exercises.  Each week our program is different, but the decades of experience brought to  Dance To Live! by the therapist readily accommodates shifts in the prepared lessons.  There are certainly physical benefits that are derived from Dance To Live! but we all love most the smiles and laughter throughout the evening.  Thank you for your support of this worthy project.  We encourage you to view the photo gallery at our website www.DanceToLive.org

Links:

• Dance to Live! website