Abigail W. "Fitch Dance Company and its amazing, kindhearted staff not only helped me get back on my feet. They helped me love life again." I’ve been dancing with Fitch Dance Company for seven years. I started in middle school with Mrs. Fitch and have worked with many of the teachers here. With each year my confidence grew. In my third year, I suffered a concussion at home that caused me to stumble in class, but my teachers never stopped encouraging me to get back on my feet. I even performed that year. Later we discovered that a brain tumor, found that same year, had contributed to my balance issues. After surgery I was out for a few years, and when I returned the studio welcomed me back with kindness and accommodated every limitation. As I slowly added more classes, each teacher offered a new perspective. All were patient, supportive, and determined never to let me give up on trying, learning, and growing alongside peers who were equally kind. For me, dance is far more than a hobby. It has been the best therapy for my recovery. Dance works everything my other therapies target, from my eyes to my muscles, and even helps where therapy can’t: my self-esteem, social skills, teamwork, and memory. After surgery my memory was severely affected. I once had a conversation with a former teacher who reminded me she’d taught me the year before my operation, and I had no recollection of it. Over time, though, I’ve regained memories of my pre-surgery years and noticed real improvement in remembering choreography. I’ve also learned that dance can literally change how your brain processes information. As the book Dance Anatomy explains, “Dance creates new brain cells through a process called neurogenesis; in other words, dance movement can, in effect, rewire your brain. Each time you learn new choreography, your brain develops new neural pathways for your body, and these pathways help you think and acquire knowledge.” Understanding that connection between mind and body fascinates me. Through Fitch Dance Company, I found purpose. Quietly, it crept in until one day coming to class felt like my greatest accomplishment. Year after year, my peers and teachers have given me a safe place to learn, fail, and struggle while receiving unconditional support and guidance. Never once was I excluded or treated differently because of my surgery. One of the most important lessons came from my tap teacher: the value of failure. Without failure, there’s no room for improvement. At first, that was hard for me to accept, but now it’s one of my greatest comforts. Even though I’ve now graduated and no longer take regular classes, Fitch Dance Company is still home. I’m proud to be part of the preschool program, assisting our wonderful teachers Ms. Kari and Ms. Hannah and helping the next generation of dancers discover the joy I found here. Fitch Dance Company and its amazing, kindhearted staff not only helped me get back on my feet. They helped me love life again.