Samantha, BA Psychology & Dance '17
Dancer. Believer. Seer beyond sight.
Teaching Dance to Students with Down Syndome
Samantha was recently featured by the Media News Group about her work at Twirl Dance Studio teaching dance classes for students with Down syndrome. Samantha, who is legally blind, understands the power of investing in others to overcome obstacles and experience the joy of dancing. Read the full story on delcotimes.com.
“Yes, I am blind, but through my experiences, my relationships, and my faith, I am able to see the world, and it is beautiful.”
An Interview with Samantha
How did getting your degree require courage?
Getting my degree meant doing something others thought was unthinkable. My courage was primarily fueled by a professor here who helped me find my inner courage. Before I started at Eastern, another school told me, “We don’t know how to handle someone like you. You should try something else, like dance therapy." On the other hand, the professor at Eastern saw this as a “meant to be” scenario. She said, “You’re here for a reason.” She was willing to take on the challenge of figuring it out.
How did EU help you become more courageous in your thinking and actions?
My psychology degree gave me the "people knowledge" behind what I want to do in the future. I learned how living with what I live with can affect somebody. It made me want to enhance the lives of people like me. A lot of the students and professors in the dance program also helped to foster that sense of courage.
Where do you hope courage will lead you in the future?
I really want to start a program for dancers who are visually impaired or blind. I would start with children, around 5-6 years old.