For 17-year-old Marissa, dancing isn’t just an activity. It is through this art that she expresses herself and above all, that she has found a family. But, due to the sanitary measures in place, Marissa cannot go through the doors of her dance school.
She will be celebrating her 18th birthday in 2021. Yet Marissa has already had a busy life journey. Her many placements in different foster families have left their mark. It’s hard to fit in when the shadow of a change of foster family already hangs over her head, while the clothes are still in the suitcases. No time to bond or even make real friends.
Recently arrived in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Marissa has finally found her identity. Her little paradise, she is at No Gravity Dance Academy. Since registering, she has increased attendance at the dance school. She admits, dancing gives her an outlet she will never find elsewhere. Her life has really changed.
“I’m from Montreal, said the teenager. I have moved from foster family to foster family so much that I can’t even count the number of times I’ve packed my bags. At the dance studio, I met other people like me who love dancing. I finally found my family. This is the first time I have seen this kind of situation. It’s my place. However, at this time it is closed. I can’t understand that kids will be able to collect treats by going door-to-door on Halloween and we are not allowed to dance, even if we use all distancing measures. It’s not riskier than taking a physical education class at school.”
Marissa can’t imagine her life without dancing. “It’s my way of life, she says. Even though I don’t have classes every day, I visit the studio regularly. It makes me feel good. I can go to the studio to talk to other dancers, teachers or to go and practice my choreography solo. For me, dancing is my way of life. It makes me feel good to dance. Right now, I’m really missing something. Dancing helps me have a balance in my life. It helps me mentally. For some people dancing is just a hobby, but for me it is really more than that.”
