A group of physical therapists, students and performers is determined to bring song and dance to children, one hospital at a time.
The Fairytale Physical Therapy combines the joy of singing and dancing with physical therapy by performing theatrical shows at different children’s hospitals, as per Good Morning America on Sept. 26.
“The movements that we do in the choreography are therapeutic movements. That means it comes from a physical therapist mindset,” said Jenna Kantor, co-founder of Fairytale Physical Therapy.
“Something as simple as marching can be activating your abdominals and also working your balance, which is something [the patients] don’t get to do on a regular basis because they are spending most of their time sitting or lying in a bed,” she added.
Kantor was a graduate student of physical therapy at Columbia University in New York City when she co-founded the group with fellow physical therapist Katie Schmitt almost four years ago in 2015. Kantor and Schmitt both loved the performing arts and wanted to merge it with their passion for physical therapy.
As per the report, the Fairytale Physical Therapy was initially made up of physical therapists, but through the years has welcomed professional performers and volunteers. Just recently, the group performed a rendition of Disney’s “Frozen” at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital in front of child patients and their parents.
One parent, Rocio Manrique, could not help but get teary-eyed upon seeing the performance.
“Now that I saw the performance with the people, the artists who have done all this… one feels more hopeful of fighting against the children’s disease, as if you have the illusion of seeing something that someone sings that will bring you joy, a smile,” said Manrique in the report.
For Kantor and her team, going back to their clarity of why is what keeps them going. Beyond their love for theater, it is the kids, ultimately, who compel them to don their costumes and perform.
“Even though I can sit there and sing and feel so good in rehearsals, once you’re in front of the kids, it does not matter,” Kantor said in the report. “You are giving that escape and those healthy movements to them, and that is why it is going for more than four years now.” Cody Cepeda /ra
RELATED STORIES:
Kids drive mini cars to surgery to help ease anxiety, stress
Children’s hospital in Colorado drops gender markers from patient wristbands
‘Spider-Man’ Tom Holland surprises sick kids at Seoul hospital