MONTHLY GIVING PROGRAMS
Katie Pedersen started dancing with PBD when she was in 8th grade, at a time when she describes herself as being very “impressionable.” She says, “I went to a middle school where drugs and gangs were a very common thing. That was the time in my life when I had to decide who I wanted to be. I had to choose if I was going to stand strong for good values or [become] a stereotype just so that I could be part of the ‘in’ crowd.” Katie tried getting involved in a dance program at her school, where she hoped to develop positive friendships. Unfortunately, it “proved to be the opposite. I instead found myself among dancers with weak standards that wanted me to be like them.” It was about that time that Katie heard about Pacific Ballroom Dance and finally found a place to belong. “I fell in love. This program truly changed me. I not only learned ballroom dance, but I found a whole dance team of new friends who shared my values.” Katie has the added challenge of coping with an extremely rare congenital neurological disorder called Moebius Syndrome—which is characterized by facial paralysis. Katie has gone through surgeries to gain her ability to speak, and after years of therapy she has developed a subtle smile. “When I started dance in 8th grade, even though surgery had given me my speech, I still suffered from that loneliness of feeling and being different from the rest of the world. But dance proved to be a miracle for me. It gave me a venue to express myself without words and without fear.” For Katie, PBD’s impact on her life has been immeasurable—giving her critical opportunities at critical times. She is grateful to the generous donors who make it possible for her and her team members to have a place to dance. “I can honestly say that I have no idea where I would be in my life if it weren’t for my involvement with the Pacific Ballroom Dance Company. . . Through PBD, I have found my inner self. I have come to see what strength I possess and to understand that I am a person who has something to offer the world.” To help make sure that students like Katie continue to have a place to belong, please support the Dance Big, Dream Big Giving Campaign.
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