On a particularly hot summer day in 1986, a fan in six-year-old Julie Pettigrew's bedroom short-circuited, igniting a fire that destroyed her dance shoes, costumes, and batons. Despite the loss, Pettigrew's passion for dance kept her going through the summer, providing solace as she faced mobility challenges that would later confine her to a wheelchair.
Creating a Low-Mobility Dance Program
Diagnosed with Graves' disease and hypermobility, Pettigrew experienced muscle weakness and joint pain that made traditional dance difficult. Rather than give up, she created her own low-mobility dance program at Devotion Dance Company in Kanata, where she serves as co-director. The program offers structured classes with curriculums and syllabuses, making it unique in Ottawa for wheelchair users, the elderly, and others with disabilities.
Unique Opportunities for Wheelchair Dancers
While Devotion Dance Company offers various dance classes, its low-mobility classes stand out by providing wheelchair dancers with opportunities to compete. Director Zach Kostjuk, who invited Pettigrew to join the studio in 2019, notes that the adaptive program is the only one in Ottawa offering structured, rather than freestyle, classes.
Kostjuk and Pettigrew say the program is gaining traction, though more awareness is needed. 'Once we started getting the word out, we found that a lot of people are looking for these services, and the demand is there. There are just no solutions,' says Kostjuk. 'Now that people are starting to know what we're doing, we're starting to get a lot more inquiries.'
Inclusive for All
The low-mobility classes are not limited to wheelchair users. Pettigrew explains, 'I have a lady in her 60s and she's legally blind, but she's still able to walk. I have people in wheelchairs in their 60s, 70s and 80s, just to get that movement.' The program welcomes anyone with mobility challenges, providing a supportive environment where they can feel encouraged to dance.
Pettigrew's journey from a childhood fire to creating an inclusive dance program underscores the transformative power of dance. 'Being a kid, I couldn't keep up. I was very frustrated with myself but having dance in my life — the problems went away the moment I was doing it,' she recalls. Now, she helps others find the same joy and freedom through movement, regardless of physical limitations.
