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WATERTOWN CHILD FINDS INSPIRATION ON STAGE
Watertown TAB & Press, MA
June 24 2013
By Marcelle Abi Esber
Aram Varjabedian, 10, has been dancing Armenian Folk Dance since he
was 4-years-old. His love and talent for dance is an example of how
children with Down Syndrome can thrive with complete inclusion.
Last Tuesday, Aram performed with the ABAKA Armenian School for the
Performing Arts at the Watertown High School auditorium. Before the
performance, he was eager to start dancing.
"I love the stage. I like to dance in front of people and hear them
clap," said Aram.
His mother Pearlene Varjabedian pointed out that Aram thrives in
performing with his dance group.
"He thrives on imitation and thrives on being part of an inclusive
setting. He can still be a part of a culture and have that cultural
identity. He enjoys being on stage and showing what he can do,"
said Varjabedian.
Others who have seen Aram perform noticed he really shines in dancing.
"He is so energetic, his face lights up. He's just like any other
kid, maybe even more energetic than most," said a dance instructor
Lori Keverian.
"You can tell that this is what he loves to do. The minute he gets
in his dancing clothes, you can tell this is where he belongs, this
is when he comes to life," added another instructor, Niari Keverian.
Before the show, Aram got ready backstage the other boys in his dance
group. They played clapping games, and as his mother said, he was
just like one of the boys. Neither his friends nor his instructors
treated him differently than the others.
"He's in a group full of typical children. He loves being with his
friends," said Varjabedian.
Varjabedian hopes that people see Aram and realize children with Down
Syndrome can succeed just as much as other children, they just have
to be given the same opportunities and be included.
"It is really important to realize that you don't have to hold back.
Treat these children as normal and typical as possible. Treat them
like any other child. Aram has been in inclusive settings since he
was four," said Varjabedian.
Aram's 13-year old sister Lara is also part of the ABAKA performance
school, and her mother says she is also amazingly supportive of Aram.
"I think he's going to be a dancer when he grows up," said Lara.
http://www.wickedlocal.com/watertown/news/x273423656/Watertown-child-finds-inspiration-on-stage#axzz2XBsnKevG
Watertown TAB & Press, MA
June 24 2013
By Marcelle Abi Esber
Aram Varjabedian, 10, has been dancing Armenian Folk Dance since he
was 4-years-old. His love and talent for dance is an example of how
children with Down Syndrome can thrive with complete inclusion.
Last Tuesday, Aram performed with the ABAKA Armenian School for the
Performing Arts at the Watertown High School auditorium. Before the
performance, he was eager to start dancing.
"I love the stage. I like to dance in front of people and hear them
clap," said Aram.
His mother Pearlene Varjabedian pointed out that Aram thrives in
performing with his dance group.
"He thrives on imitation and thrives on being part of an inclusive
setting. He can still be a part of a culture and have that cultural
identity. He enjoys being on stage and showing what he can do,"
said Varjabedian.
Others who have seen Aram perform noticed he really shines in dancing.
"He is so energetic, his face lights up. He's just like any other
kid, maybe even more energetic than most," said a dance instructor
Lori Keverian.
"You can tell that this is what he loves to do. The minute he gets
in his dancing clothes, you can tell this is where he belongs, this
is when he comes to life," added another instructor, Niari Keverian.
Before the show, Aram got ready backstage the other boys in his dance
group. They played clapping games, and as his mother said, he was
just like one of the boys. Neither his friends nor his instructors
treated him differently than the others.
"He's in a group full of typical children. He loves being with his
friends," said Varjabedian.
Varjabedian hopes that people see Aram and realize children with Down
Syndrome can succeed just as much as other children, they just have
to be given the same opportunities and be included.
"It is really important to realize that you don't have to hold back.
Treat these children as normal and typical as possible. Treat them
like any other child. Aram has been in inclusive settings since he
was four," said Varjabedian.
Aram's 13-year old sister Lara is also part of the ABAKA performance
school, and her mother says she is also amazingly supportive of Aram.
"I think he's going to be a dancer when he grows up," said Lara.
http://www.wickedlocal.com/watertown/news/x273423656/Watertown-child-finds-inspiration-on-stage#axzz2XBsnKevG