Dancing with Emotion and Hope


I don't know if you realize that I'm a reality TV junkie. I didn't used to be. I was a sitcom and family drama girl all the way. But my husband's obsession with "American Idol" and "Project Runway" hooked me too. And then it led to more reality shows.

One of them is "Dancing with the Stars". This season, one of the contestants is Amy Purdy, a paraplegic with two prosthetic legs who competed in the 2014 Paralympics in snowboarding. This is an inspiring woman who wowed the judges on Monday's show with a contemporary dance portraying the year that changed her life, the year she lost her legs to bacterial meningitis.

Before the dance, she spoke of wondering if she'd ever walk again. Then a song came on the radio, and she knew she had to dance. With her father's support, she did just that. On Monday's show, she and her partner Derek Hough portrayed her journey on special feet made to point since her usual prosthetics can't do that. Together, they showed her dancing before she could walk again. Stumbling before moving fluidly in her partner's arms. And finally walking on air.

It was an emotional masterpiece.


As writers, we hope to give our readers such an emotional experience. To dive into the morass of our humanity and show that there is courage and determination in this world. That there is always hope.

As rewrites come in the near future and later throwing myself into a new story, I plan on channeling my inner Amy Purdy who exposed her soul on the dance floor. And showed us all that even after tragedy, we can learn to dance again.

Comments

  1. I don't watch it, but what a story!

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    1. It was amazing. Both my husband and I were teary watching them.

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  2. Beautiful post, Syndi, and a beautiful reminder of perspective. I don't actually watch DWTS, but I find myself watching clips after fans, like you, start reporting on the dances you've seen. (Have to find this one!)

    I never watched reality TV either, but my husband has watched American Idol from it's very first episode. We don't have a lot in common, so I started watching that with him as a kind of weekly couple-of-date-nights. However, I am nuts for So You Think You Can Dance! In fact, my friend who lives in Iowa and I end up watching and texting through every episode! Thanks again for a lovely post!

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    1. Thanks, Anna. You have to find this clip! Amazing.

      Love SYTYCD! I got hooked on that show after Ellen talked about it on her show.

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  3. I still watch American Idol although only on DVR so I can fast forward through 90% of the episode. I'm not much of a DWTS watcher, but I am inspired to check it out. What an amazing journey this woman has been through and to see her get to the other side of tragedy is incredible. Love it!

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    1. Amy, we do DVR American Idol because my husband can't stand listening to the judges' comments. He'd rather insert his own!

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  4. I've watched DWTS from the first time it was on and it had few contestants and a lot of controversy. This year's group of dancers mostly all danced this past week at the highest level I've seen since its inception. Several dances left the judges teary-eyed, but Amy's most of all. And what a great choreographer Derek Hough is to have worked with such a variety of dancers over the seasons and gave them all confidence. He's remarkable too.

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    1. Roz, I do love Derek (although my bad girl side gets drawn to Maks too LOL). I did think that this week was a great week of dances. I got teary watching Danica McKellar too as she danced for her son. But Amy and Derek blew me away!

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  5. I don't watch this show either, but how inspiring! The strength and determination she so obviously has is amazing. I read stories like this and vow to never feel sorry for myself again.

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    1. Carol, I always say that when I start feeling sorry for myself, God brings someone into my life to remind me that I am blessed.

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  6. Had tea with a friend yesterday who told me about Amy Purdy's performance. My friend was a police dispatcher, is kind but tough, and was reduced to tears as she replayed it in her mind. Like Carol, we both resolved never to complain again about anything! (I'm a little in love with Derek Hough.)

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    1. Muriel, I got teary writing about it too! And you might have to fight Roz and I for Derek. LOL

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  7. Great story worth sharing. A good reminder to count our blessings.

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    1. Thanks, Pamela. It's amazing to me how upbeat and positive she is. She was determined that this happened to her but it would not define her! Just an amazing woman.

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  8. I love DWTS! I have this episode on my TiVo but am so behind with writing, I haven't watched it and now I'm dying to! Amy is inspiring to everyone who's ever experienced a severe setback and wasn't sure how to find a new path. I'm thrilled that they cast her because of the hope she's giving millions of people :) Thanks for this terrific post!

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  9. What a story! I have never watched DWTS, but I may have to take a peek! :)

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