Disability joy – rollerskating with Rodney Bell
Carly and Rodney – Carly is rollerskating, Rodney is in his wheelchair, they are both smiling, and reaching into the air, touching hands. I experienced pure joy on Saturday 8 October! Rodney Bell – Māori and Disabled dancer – came skating with me. He choreographed a short dance – I managed it, even with how little rhythm and coordination I have. It was so fun!
Still can’t stop smiling when I think of this, and watch the videos back.
Thank you Rodney for spending time with me; and to Colleen for filming and having fun with us.
We joked that this is the start of our next Arts Centre Melbourne Alter State performance!
Video: Carly and Rodney on the forecourt of Melbourne Museum. The sun is out, sky is blue. Rodney, a wheelchair user, is dancing around Carly, on skates. They are smiling, moving together and apart, holding hands at times. They hug at the end. The music is Darren Hayes – “all you pretty things”. Lyrics are: “And just for one night
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Carly Findlay OAM (@carlyfindlay)
The world’s heartache seemed to disappear
Under strobe lights
Everyone is beautiful in here
So never forget
And never give up
But don’t ever stop
Keep dancing the pain away
Don’t let the past
Steal from today
As long as we’ve got our memories love remains
We’ve got to
Dance to remember them…”
The cover photo is Carly and Rodney next to each other – smiling, arms stretched out.
(A second video is here.)
