What a lovely story, Jill. Although I'm a mental health professional I'm
often unsure how to include dancers with obvious problems. You've provided
an inspiration.
Bree Kalb
Carrboro NC
-----Original Message-----
From: jill allen
Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2011 4:05 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Callers] mental health and dance calling
We had a gentleman coming to our dances for years, who suddenly appeared one
night ranting about the police and tasers. He was drooling and showing
delusional behavior, and was still dancing. Most dancers didn't think much
of it, but some were very upset.
He continued to come to every dance, Contra and English, but when he came to
our sweet little Family Dance and was smoking cigarettes on the sidewalk and
greeting the children, I started feeling the need for a plan. I talked with
the local mental health facility and spoke to other organizers, but you
know, what can you do? Well, somewhat accidentally, I had about a half hour
conversation at a dance one night with him. We were just chatting, and
something magic happened. I got to know him really well. Every time he
came to a dance, I talked with him. He began to trust me, and vice versa.
I found out that he had been care-taking for his elderly dad, who was living
with him. His dad recently passed away while he was away at a dance
weekend. He explained that his father's death and his guilt for being gone
had triggered his mental issues. I don't know if it helped him to make
friends with me, but it sure helped me! I found him to be a really sweet
person. I used to dr
ead his presence, and now I look forward to seeing him. He is still coming
to dances, which seems to help him. His medications are better adjusted now
and he blends in much better and is appropriate on the dance floor, for the
most part.
I am sure that this approach won't work for all situations, but why not
first try going straight to the problem with accidental love and friendship.
Good luck,
Jill Allen
