Beyond Limits Shows No Limits: Free to be Me’s inspiring performance

Dancing with the Star’s, John Nolan, from Tallaght, worked with the group Free to be Me, which performed at the event Beyond Limits, on October 15.

Presented by Paralympic Champion, Ellen Keane, and organised by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office, Beyond Limits is an inspiring event for children with disabilities and their families.

Dublin City Ballet’s, Free to be Me, is a group of dancers of all abilities. They worked alongside John Nolan and director Rebecca O’Brien Taylor for the past few months to put their performance together.

Before the performance, John Nolan said: “I’m a dancer of 30 years, and we all get caught up in what we think is important in life — trophies, competitions. But to see the girls take to the stage is amazing and so inspiring.”

Rebecca added: “The girls have been doing a lot of practicing. The SNAs in school have been helping them, as have their parents. They have been absolutely brilliant.”

The group of fifteen children, along with their families, traveled to the University of Limerick, where the event took place, to perform on the main stage in front of over 500 people.

Beyond Limits gives young people the opportunity to hear from children of all abilities as well as adults that have faced similar challenges to them. It is all about recognising the abilities and interests of children with disabilities.

The Ombudsman for Children, Dr. Niall Muldoon said: “Some families aren’t sure what can be achieved if they have a child with a disability and this event shows what is possible.

“As a society, we’re not doing enough for children with disabilities, and we need to do better.”

Children who came to Beyond Limits also had the chance to try out lots of activities such as rugby, soccer, cooking, yoga, music, drama, table tennis, arts, crafts and gaming.

Events like these are so important for youth today, it serves as a reminder that they’re not alone and that no disability can limit their potential.