今日朗读：

Dance therapy for special kids

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Words: about 280; Time: 4.5 minutes

语篇导读：美国一位治疗师通过舞蹈并结合传统的治疗帮助患有大脑性瘫痪、肌肉萎缩等症状的孩子们，进而提高他们的自信心、拓展他们的社交圈。

Many kids love to listen to music and dance. But for children with special medical needs, joining in a traditional dance class can be difficult.

Thanks to physical therapist (治疗师) Kellie Lightfoot, young people in Northeast Ohio have the benefit of a special program called Dance Unlimited. Lightfoot founded the program at Akron Children's Hospital in 2012. It gives kids ages four and up a chance to dance while still getting the traditional benefits of physical therapy.

"The cool thing is that the kids can't tell they're in therapy because they're just having fun," said Lightfoot.

For children with diseases like cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and other medical conditions, dance does more than meet their physical needs. During class, they meet other kids, build self-confidence, and make friends, some for the first time in their lives.

The students have two big public performances each year. They also perform at smaller events. At a recent performance in Akron, the dancers' hard work paid off on stage, allowing them to shine in front of people.

Lightfoot, who started dancing before the age of three, is working hard to help children with special needs. "I just always wanted to combine the two things that I love, and I feel like this is what I am meant to do," she said.

Getting all of the kids involved (参与) during class requires a team. "Therapists, dancers, or ordinary people act as dance assistants. All are accepted," Lightfoot said, "so that all of the children can join in."

Lightfoot hopes to expand Dance Unlimited so that more kids with medical problems can reach their full potential (潜能). "It's not what these kids can't do," she said. "It's what they can do."