Patrons:
The Larondina Dance Company, a progressive group for teenagers
and young adults
Kate Adie with
Down syndrome travelled to
cooperation with Downside Up, an organization that aims to
improve the lives of
Bob Ayling
children with
Down syndrome and their families in the
performance took place
Christopher Balfour
specialists.
Cherie Booth QC The
dancers and their teacher delivered a
very positive message about the potential of
people with Down syndrome and their capacity to develop thcir cognitive and physical
Ralph Fiennes capabilities
through the power of concentration, good posture, physical agility and many
other key attributes.
Princess Katya Galitzine The
reception of the public was
absolutely great, and the applause increased with every
performance. Different dance techniques were used and the
teacher introduced each
Boris Johnson M.P
performance.
The whole event culminated in a final performance where all children
sitting in the audience were invited to corne
on stage. For many in the audience this was
a beautiful, emotional and unforgettable moment.
Jeremy Lancaster
After
the dance event rnany Russian parent of children with
Down syndrome asked
The Lady Levene whether their
children could take part in such dance classes and hoped the Larondina
of
Portsoken
Dance Company
will corne to
Monday
15 April the dancers and their
parents visited Downside Up's center and met
Marlen
D. Manassov with the Russian parents and
their children there. The parents and dancers discussed
common issues and saw the group session of the toddlers. It
was very important and
Philip Marsden encouraging
for the Russian parents to meet face to face with the British parents and to
hear that they coped with similar difficulties some 30‑40
years ago and how the attitude
Rosa Monickton of society has
changed in a relatively short period of time as the dancers have
interesting jobs, friends, enjoy their lives, and can hence
be considered real role models.
Cherry
changed and influenced Downside Up's parents and children
and the audience of the
Matthew Taylor M.P Dance
event at large, when they saw the great potential that the young people in the
Dance
Company have exceed to. This is a very tangible example of how, with help and
education, children with a disability can grow, develop,
learn new skills and become
active citizens with interesting and fulfilling lives.
Downside Up is
very grateful to the Larondina Dance Company for this
wonderful and
unforgettable
experience that will stay with us for always.
Suzette de
Boer
EIP director
Irina
Menshenina F&M director
Improving the quality of life for
Russian children with Down syndrome
for
information about Downside Up and Down syndrome, visit www.downsideup.org
Downside Up is the operating name of
Downside Up Limited, a registered UKchaiity no.
1055097, registenedUK address above, registered
company no. 3026295, and of Russian Charitable Fund no 67698