Interview
Para Dance UK Patrick McGeough shares his inspiration, from performing the first dance at his wedding using his power wheelchair to being CEO of Para Dance UK.
P Patrick McGeough Chief Executive Officer of Para Dance UK
atrick’s initial involvement with Para Dance UK came down to a wedding dance. “My wife’s grandparents were amateur ballroom and Latin dancers, so she wanted us to do a ballroom and Latin style first dance. I am a power wheelchair user, and we found that most of the choreography on offer to us was either too basic (it was suggested that my wife sit on my lap and we just spin round) or we were told that it couldn't be done. So, a year before the wedding we were about to give up. We had contacted lots of local and regional agencies, but nothing was being offered. Then, by chance, we contacted the charity that was then called the Wheelchair Dancesport Association (now Para Dance UK). Sue (the Chair) contacted me, I explained my situation and she said that it could be done. After speaking further with Sue and Ruth (Vice Chair), we had a plan. They were in Devon, and we were in Hertfordshire, but they came up and gave us 10 full-day lessons. On our wedding day we performed our Rumba! “My second stroke meant I started to use a power wheelchair, because my right side was extremely weak. My wife would have to help me lift my right arm during all the practice lessons. But what was amazing was that when I watched the video
of our actual performance, I could see that I was lifting my arm by myself. That was when the idea of dance as rehabilitation clicked for me. I realised that because I was doing something I enjoyed my rehabilitation had happened without my noticing. I spoke with Sue and Ruth, this was in 2011, and they explained that they would like to expand their charity and do more. My background was in business start-up, so I joined the charity as a trustee and then became Chief Executive Officer in 2012.” Aims and objectives Patrick is clear about Para Dance UK’s objectives. “Our charity aim is the relief of disabled people through inclusive dance and Para Dance Sport. That is the overall charitable objective. When I took over as CEO, we looked at what was going on in the disability dance sector and found a strong inclusive dance community. But it was aimed at contemporary and modern dance and the learning disability market. There seemed to be very little support or information about dance for those with physical, sensory, or mental health disabilities. “We have expanded the remit of inclusive dance so people can access non-genre specific dance in multiple ways, through social dance or fitness
16 Dance | Issue 494
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