NYU Physical Therapy presented a panel and performance at the United Nations General Assembly Healing Arts Week Research Symposium on September 22, organized by NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development and Jameel Arts & Health Lab.
Visionary pediatric physical therapist and Founder of Dancing Dreams, Joann Ferrara, Dancing Dreams graduate, Leah Zelaya, and NYU Physical Therapy Clinical Professor, Dr. Elaine Becker, all shared their experience and insights in a panel moderated by Dr. Smita Rao. The panel was followed by a performance set to Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World!”
Joann started Dancing Dreams to offer adaptive dance classes for children and teens with physical or medical challenges. This endeavor has steadily grown and now, each year, over 100 participants showcase their joy and achievement in a celebratory performance! Joann shared the monumental positive impact that Dancing Dreams has had on participants and their communities. In addition to supporting physical well-being, Dancing Dreams has substantially improved social emotional well-being and participation. Effects at the individual level have a ripple effect - dancers, their teen helpers, families, and communities all benefit from participation.
Joann has partnered with NYU Physical Therapy for over 40 years! Dancing Dreams participants regularly visit Dr. Elaine Becker’s class to share their stories with our students. Thanks to NYU Physical Therapy Associate Professor Dr. Anat Lubetzky’s award of Steinhardt’s Inaugural Dean’s Innovation Grant, this special collaboration and event were made possible. The grant supports initiatives like this partnership that strengthens connections between NYU Steinhardt, Dancing Dreams, and the broader community. The event brought together NYU graduate students in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and communicative sciences and disorders with Dancing Dreams participants, while also introducing high school teen volunteers to a variety of health professions.
It was a total joy to see and experience the profound impact of this joyful arts engagement and education partnership. What a powerful and authentic collaboration!
