During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Reeve Foundation’s National Paralysis Resource Center created a special grants category (COVID-19: Addressing Social Isolation) for non-profit organizations to address social isolation by providing programs and projects to support the physical and mental health of people living with paralysis.
Dance has the power to free us of the stressors surrounding us. We can tune into our body for a few minutes while letting go. Unfortunately, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, we lost the ability to go places that relieved us of our worries, anxiety, or other emotions. Participating in dance classes in person seemed impossible.
Axis Dance Company, located in Berkeley, California, recognized the need to stay connected with the paralysis community during COVID-19 social isolation regulations. The organization created Axis for All to keep the community connected and to increase its reach with new partners. They wanted to decrease feelings of isolation, separation, and lack of access to places once available pre-pandemic.
With a grant totaling $33,700 from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, the Axis Dance Company achieved its dream by forming ‘”Axis for All”. One participant praised the program, commenting that its’ offerings had helped her through the first few years of the pandemic. It “brought so much joy to me, and I continue on my journey feeling very appreciative of my dance network."
Axis for All offers ballet, Brazilian contemporary, and wheelchair technique and other classes through free, on-demand virtual workshops. The workshop sessions are designed to support those who are disabled or are paralyzed. Axis for All was designed to improve the well-being of people living with paralysis and their communities through guided movement, dance, and meditation.
The Axis for All workshop classes offered through the program are designed so anyone, regardless of age or ability, can find something they enjoy. Participants appreciate the inclusiveness; one participant said, "It was beautiful to be part of a space for people of all abilities." When asked what they thought of the program, one person responded, "I’m very thankful for the safe space AXIS created."