Scottish Rite held a spring break dance camp designed for teen girls with cerebral palsy to research the power of connection through inclusion.
FRISCO, Texas — It’s a Tuesday during spring break at Scottish Rite for Children in Frisco, and the sound of squealing teenage girls fills the air. Then comes the music—a mix of Taylor Swift and the soundtrack from The Greatest Showman.
A group of girls with cerebral palsy, a neurological condition that affects movement, are dancing.
“We just wanted to see the impact of a dance program on youth with CP. How it impacted their overall health and well-being,” Angela Shierk, a Senior Clinical Scientist at Scottish Rite said. “It’s wonderful. It’s great to hear their laughter and their connections with each other. One of the most difficult parts of cerebral palsy is movement, so seeing them move and dance and enjoy it is wonderful to see.”
Among them is Arriyian Thorpe.
“She’s been resilient since birth. She did not walk until she was four. She made up in her mind that she wanted to walk so she pushed her walker aside and she started taking baby steps,” her mom, Theresa Thorpe, shared.
When we arrived, Arriyian was enjoying floor time, taking a break between dance numbers. Even then, she radiated with a big smile.
“I really love dancing,” she said.
“That’s why I’m really grateful that Scottish Rite provided this platform where she can be around children who have the same condition, the same disability. She can feel free. She doesn’t have to feel limited this week,” Theresa told WFAA.
In 2024, Scottish Rite for Children treated more than 1,200 kids with cerebral palsy. While the camp was created to be engaging and fun, critical research on its impact is also underway.
Theresa hopes people understand the deeper significance of the program.
“The data will show facts as it relates to the cerebral palsy, but the friendships, the community, the togetherness — the data won’t show that,” Theresa added. “Only the community here, only the environment here and that’s something Arriyian will take home.”
During lunch, the girls chat, swap TikToks and make plans to connect at parties long after the weeklong camp ends. Arriyian hopes the team at Scottish Rite knows how much it means to her.
“It’s amazing, and I hope they continue to do it for years to come,” she shared.
Shierk became emotional reflecting on the study’s impact.
“A lot of people get up and go to work just because it’s a job, and this is more than that,” she said.
