“After about five minutes of dancing, they’re smiling…and they’re smiling and laughing the rest of the night.”
People with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injuries tend to be judged by those members of society who may not be educated on the subject of mental illness. Those who struggle with the traumas of their past find refuge on the dance floor – a common ground upon which all can exist in an aura of acceptance.
“Everybody around me is just grinning, and it’s just a good time.” Remarkably, nearly 100% of veterans who participate in the Dancing Well program report improvement in their mood, memory, health, and outlook on life. “This was the beginning of putting myself back out there. I found my smile again, just by coming here.” The therapeutic power of dance seems to heal invisible wounds that often scar people for years to come. Fortunately, for those who can dance, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Video from KarmaTube
