These past couple of weeks have been amazing, a microcosm of our world in theory and in practice.  We have embraced risk and opportunity, we have committed to each other and travelled the miles, inspired and impacted unsuspecting others, and opened doors to the future for DanceSyndrome with Jen seen, heard, valued and respected communicating through her language of dance.

It’s difficult to fathom and at our age perhaps we should know better, but we want more!

More sailing challenges, more opportunities to spread optimism and hope through the extraordinary dance of leadership driven by passion which is Jen’s life’s work, more people to challenge and impact, and more places radiating love and empathy oozing forth as discovered in both Tampa Bay and Dominica where SeaCat lives.

We’re on a crusade for social change.

Jen Blackwell and Dennis Pitocco

Every day we face risks whether that’s sailing or hiking in conditions beyond our comfort zone, undertaking a demanding couple of weeks with 8 different accommodations in 16 days seeing the inside of 7 airports, or crossing the road in your home town.  People with learning disabilities have the same rights to take risk but rarely experience it.  Jen thrived on  it.

Encounter 360 gave us the reason to sail the Atlantic, we loved it so much we’re already planning the ‘next’ time with Anthony too.  On day 2 in a space fueled by ‘humanity rising’ and ‘love’ expertly curated by Dennis, we had a platform to share our life’s story, ‘the art of the possible’.  We could never accept the put downs of professionals,  nor accept ‘no’ as an answer, so instead as a family unit, we found our own way respecting the needs of all of us.

With a quiet personality it would have been easy for Jen to attend Encounter and barely be noticed, invisible in full sight.  Navigating such an event is an art in itself ensuring sufficient support, downtime before, during and after, likewise sufficient food and the right foods before and after performing protecting both stamina and focus.  Which enabled Jen to take the conference by storm.  She confidently stole the show representing that marginalized 2% of the world’s population moving people to tears with her solo dance and her duet with Donna kicking preconceptions and assumptions into touch and demonstrating beyond doubt that you can do anything with the right support.  Given the severity of her learning disability she throws down a challenge to the other 98% of us to fathom how we can all step up to support instead of turning a blind eye.

SeaCat showing Jen and Donna nutmeg leaves

Jen wears her heart on her sleeve.  If she is bored she stifles a polite yawn, if hungry she turns white as a sheet and loses focus.  In the dance Jen demonstrates her total trust in Donna, and in us in the speaking and in Brian with whom she had worked remotely over an extended period.  She is reliant on empathetic support to navigate the complexities of life but the love which flows freely carries us all forward.

Already knowing SeaCat I placed my trust in him which he returned in shedloads.  He took us on an amazing hike up to Trafalgar Falls in Dominica the likes of which Jen would never have normally countenanced but with his knowledge and expertise, and empathy – sometimes leading, sometimes waiting, always encouraging, we found ourselves together in a place of unimaginable beauty.  But had we asked Jen if she wanted to hike there would have been huge negativity.  Instead we’re vague and offer ‘adventure’ which we packed the day out with!  It was pure joy to see Donna and Jen in awe of their surroundings sitting under a superheated waterfall issuing forth from the centre of the earth.  Sheer sublime bliss.  Or swimming in the confines of the narrow Titou Gorge with our expert guide Fearless Mr Green, SeaCat having intuitively known after just one day that we would need his extra support.  Yet another fabulous unexpected experience.  Followed by a short walk to witness water boiling in pools with clouds of sulphureous gas billowing into the air, the likes of which we had previously boiled eggs in with SeaCat in 2020.  And plan to do so again, with Anthony.  Dominica is a jewel like no other.

Add in music, 2.5 metre waves on the beam as we sailed back to Antigua, parasailing, tumultuous rain, the riverside walk of Tampa Bay, dolphin watching tour, puffin watching from our balcony, discovering that chocolate grows on trees and sampling jungle M&Ms, yes really!  As well as chilling on the beach, sipping milk from coconuts, sampling pure cacoa, then plus sugar, then plus sugar and vanilla, watching the ever changing vista from the cockpit as the sun dipped.  This was a trip like no other.

Brian Kelly and Jen

But the most magical experiences of these couple of whirlwind weeks has been those moments of awe and understanding –  Allison meeting Jen in the dance, Brian and Jen’s natural bonding, SeaCat quietly smiling as he witnessed Jen’s unbridled delight at the falls, Donna’s intrigue and delight at sailing up the coast powered by nothing but the wind, and watching the cruise ships come and go, and always their connection in the dance, Jen loving being respected as a valued member of society, attendees with eyes clouded by tears following our presentation and Jen’s contribution, Dennis’s deep perception allowing him to see the depth of Jen’s persona, as he put it ‘navigating the event under her own terms’.  Malcolm and I are deeply humbled to be party to all of this and more from our privileged birds eye view of ‘managed (dis)ability’, the joyous story that underpins all of our lives allowing us all to thrive.