Dancer from Jundiaí with cerebral palsy shines at Joinville Dance Festival

The story of young Manuela Nogueira, aged 11, shows how dance can be a tool for overcoming, autonomy and inclusion. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of two, the girl from Jundiaí (SP) overcame unfavorable medical predictions and became the first atypical dancer in the city to take the stage at the Joinville Dance Festival (SC).

The initial diagnosis indicated that the little girl could not dance. However, upon seeing his mother, Cristiane Nogueira, practicing ballet, Manu's desire to follow the same path became stronger. With the encouragement of her family and the guidance of a teacher, she started dancing at the age of four, always accompanied by integrated physiotherapy work.

"I started Manu in ballet with the help of physiotherapy. She is always accompanied to know what she can or cannot do, and then she fell in love. She is always dancing everywhere, at home and even in the bathroom", says Cristiane.

The training routine requires persistence to overcome motor limitations. During the festival in Santa Catarina, Manu performed in a group and also in a solo number. The highlight of the performance occurred when the girl left the pink walker aside to perform the choreography alone in the center of the stage, moving the audience.

"I always get emotional when she dances, but in Joinville it went even further. After the performance people stopped to take photos, many people cried and got emotional", details the mother.

To ensure progress in ballet steps, Manu has the support of a multidisciplinary team. The joint work between dance teachers and physiotherapy has provided significant advances in the girl's motor development and routine, including:

Achievement of greater motor coordination, balance and autonomy;

Ability to go up and down stairs without assistance;

Walks for long distances without the need for a walker;

Gain self-confidence inside and outside the classroom.

Dance teacher Maria Júlia Zamboti reported that, at the beginning, the process was challenging because Manu realized the limitations in relation to certain exercises. Therefore, the instructor worked to strengthen the student's self-confidence in classes.

"Every exercise I gave her I said: 'Hey, Manu. Go, you can do it'. That's how I do it with everyone, but I saw that with her I would have to be extra careful. It's really beautiful to see her evolution", shares Maria Júlia.

Some movements in ballet demand a lot from the body. Therefore, in parallel, Manu carries out physical therapy at the dance school itself. Physiotherapist Beatriz Cremonesi highlights the young woman's determination in the treatment.

"Manu already walks long distances without a walker, goes up and down stairs. It's not something we normally see in children in physiotherapy. She struggles and persists a lot, in addition to receiving a lot of encouragement. It's an evolution every day and it's very gratifying to see this", says Beatriz.

With the help of the team and her family, the girl found ballet to be more than a form of artistic expression: a tool to gain autonomy and confidence.

"I love dancing ballet. I feel happy and I want to continue dancing for many years", concludes the girl.