A little over two years ago, three-year-old Chloe Saxby had her first dance lesson at Woonona Bulli RSL. She loved it, and could not wait for her next lesson.
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Sadly though, Chloe became ill the following week, and was later diagnosed with Vanishing White Matter Disease, a very rare degenerative brain disorder.
"Every time we drove past the RSL, Chloe would ask when she could go dancing again", said Nyree Saxby, Chloe's mum. "It broke my heart, and made me just want to burst into tears."
Then Nyree found Dream Big Dancers, a local dance school run by Jacinta Pinkster for kids and adults with special needs. Now Chloe is back at dance school, and although she is confined to a wheelchair, still has a great time.
"Dream Big has made such a difference to Chloe's life," said Mrs Saxby. "They care so much for the kids, and nothing is ever a problem for them.
"There should be a million Jacintas in the world."
Ms Pinkster was teaching at the Fairy Meadow demonstration School when she came up with the concept of Dream Big dancers sessions.
"I taught my class a dance to Men in Black, which they performed at our school assembly. The reaction from the student's parents, staff and our general school community was overwhelming. Lots of tears, and a bit of disbelief at how brilliant those kids were on the stage," Ms Pinkster said.'
"I had an absolute blast too, as I got to combine my two passions - dance, and working with people with disabilities. I wanted more, and came up with the idea of Dream Big."
Dream Big Dancers has now been going for two years, and on Friday will hold their second annual concert at the Fraternity Club in Fairy Meadow.
"We've been rehearsing for the concert for about four months. Our dancers will perform group routines to their favourite Disney tunes, and every age group has adapted a different Disney theme, so you will see dancers from Aladdin, Snow White, The Jungle Book, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid and Shrek."
Inquiries can be made to dreambigdancers@gmail.com, on Facebook Dream Bigteam, or on 0402 690 853.
