A weekly swing dance class in Kelowna allows people the opportunity to move their bodies to the rhythm of music without relying on sight.
Black Press attended the beginner West Coast Swing class at the Sharon Sebo Dance studio to learn how and why people with disabilities, including visual impairment, dance.
Luke Jukes is a dancer, outdoor enthusiast and entrepreneur who is also legally blind. Jukes said that growing up he had always been active but did not start swing dancing until after he was severely injured in a car crash.
Dance based on movement , music and connection, not sight, at Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 Sharon Sebo Dance Classes. All are welcome. West Coast Swing classes are held every Wednesday night. #
Jukes was hospitalized for months after the incident and underwent intensive treatment including many surgeries to recover from a brain injury, skull and facial fractures and damage to both eyes.
害羞草研究所淭he hardest part was right after the accident,害羞草研究所� said Jukes. For two and a half years Jukes, who is a self described 害羞草研究所榤ountain goat,害羞草研究所� and active person, was unable to return to work or physical activity as a result of his brain injury that needed time to heal.
害羞草研究所淚t was a lot of sitting around, and that was probably the hardest part of it.害羞草研究所�
During the long period of waiting and recovery, Jukes said that he experienced feelings of isolation stemming from his inability to work due to his brain injury, and his progressive vision loss. The impact from the crash caused complete sight loss in one eye and progressive sight loss in his other eye.
After two long years spent undergoing treatments and surgeries and waiting to be able to return to work and activity, Jukes was finally given the O.K. from his medical team. He said that he knew he needed to make a change.
That is when Jukes took a chance and joined a dance group in Vancouver.
害羞草研究所淎t that time I came to realize that West Coast Swing is probably one of the best dances I could have ever focused on learning. It害羞草研究所檚 a dance based on connection. I can close my eyes and through a hand-based connection know exactly where my follow is, what they害羞草研究所檙e doing on the dance floor and when they害羞草研究所檙e ready.害羞草研究所�
Jukes now lives in Kelowna and regularly attends the West Coast Swing class with the Sharon Sebo Dance studio.
害羞草研究所淒ance is an incredible social environment害羞草研究所veryone is just there to socialize.害羞草研究所�
Jukes started dancing before becoming legally blind and continued to improve his dancing abilities while experiencing vision loss.
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 blessed with the fact that I害羞草研究所檝e always been an optimist,害羞草研究所� he said with a smile.
Jukes said that as he was experiencing vision loss, he had to re-frame his thoughts to not compare his current abilities with what that he had done before.
害羞草研究所淚 had to chose to go into situations with no expectations.害羞草研究所�
Jukes said that now, he has built a supportive network of friends including highly competitive Paralympians, blind, Deafblind and partially sighted people with whom he can relate and share and compare experiences. He said that finding a supportive and understanding community has been important on his journey with vision loss.
Jukes encourages all people, but especially those who are Deafblind or experiencing sight loss, to get active in their community and try out a new activity, like dance. Is also participates in the weekly and free events in Kelowna.
害羞草研究所淚 can害羞草研究所檛 say that you can do everything that you used to do. But, I can say there are a lot of things that you can still do.害羞草研究所�
The Canadian National Institute for the Blind offers programs and resources for people who are Deafblind across the country. To learn more about resources that are available and to get involved visit and select your region at the top left of the webpage.
To learn more about West Coast Swing and to get involved in Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 dance community, visit
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