Dan's Papers - September 21, 2007 - Joann Ferrara

I pull into a parking space directly in front of a popular eatery in Sag Harbor and, although we have never met, I know that the woman sitting near the window is Joann Ferrara. She is positioned at a small table, her back straight and gazing peacefully out the window. The corners of her mouth are turned upward, her dark eyes are wide and her auburn hair frames a pale, oval face. As I approach, she breaks out a lively smile and stands to greet me.

Ms. Ferrara, a Sag Harbor resident for over 17 years, has become an overnight success after 28 years in the business. She is a special needs physical therapist, who still maintains her practice in Bayside, but in the last three years has become known as someone who helps young girls with severe disabilities realize their dreams of becoming ballerinas.

"The whole program is based on abilities rather than disabilities," said Ms. Ferrara. "We adapt for each child's individual needs. Each child receives her own helper. And each helper is trained to work with that specific child. I work with the children to understand their limitations, but do not allow them to be restricted by them. I always tell the girls to be proud of what they can do."

Ms. Ferrara grew up on Long Island in Jericho as the oldest of four siblings. "My father was a paper broker and my mom was a social worker. You could say she's the kindest woman I've ever known. She leads quietly by example. She is kind, gentle and giving. We all learned the importance of giving back from both my parents," said the dream maker. "We all volunteer. I'm very lucky. I have a wonderful family. We're very supportive of one another. No one ever said, you can't or don't."

After high school, Ms. Ferrara was recruited by the University of Vermont for gymnastics. "I was an all-around gymnast," she said, "but my specialty was the balance beam, which is all about focus." She did not go to college intending to become a physical therapist, but the school had an exceptional PT department and it did not take long for her to find her niche. "In gymnastics," she said, "you learn how to use tools like visualization. On your way to doing the moves, you see yourself there. What I am doing with these little girls is similar. Except they take the knowledge of their own power out into the world where they can use it to become whatever they want. They learn that they can reach their goals and they learn that being handicapped won't prevent them from living a fulfilling life.

On October 2 Ms. Ferrara's book Ballerina Dreams will be available. The book, which has been a team effort between James Estrin, a senior staff photographer for the New York Times, writer Lauren Thompson and Ms. Ferrara, chronicles the paths of five handicapped girls who have shared a dream - they wanted to dance onstage like their sisters and cousins and friends. What differentiates them from their siblings is that these little girls wear leg braces, as they suffer from Spina Bifida or Cerebral Palsy. And yet, they perform.

The book is about having the courage and drive to make a meaningful dream come true. The story is peopled with engaging characters and the meaningful relationships formed with other human beings who help them to realize their dreams.

This quote from the book says it all, "Each little girl has her own helper who assists her in class and performs with her during the recitals. They range in age from eleven to sixteen and they volunteer for a variety of reasons. One helper sees her beloved grandmother struggling with increasing disabilities and is moved to help her. Another has a cousin with cerebral palsy. Each helper has come to know when her younger partner needs support - perhaps with sitting, or holding her arms in position - and also knows when she is ready to try something on her own. The book's dedication is extraordinary, "One helper travels an hour from home to attend the weekly class. The close bond between the girls and their helpers is yet another way that the ballet program fosters pride and confidence in all the young people involved."

Not only is Ms. Ferrara the creator of the program, but she also builds the sets, makes the costumes and choreographs the performances. She can often be found wearing double glue guns and carrying boxes of glitter. She says that Rose Ann of The Variety Store in Sag Harbor has been incredibly kind and helpful by ordering whatever she needs for the performances. "It's such a powerful experience for everyone who gets involved because it taps into joy." She smiled warmly and added, "I know that a lot of who and what I am comes from growing up in a really supportive and loving family. I know that they are there for me no matter what. It's the trying, not the success that matters." For the lucky little ballerinas who are in her care, not only are they the beneficiaries of these values, but also they have become her extended family.

What is the next part of the dream? "To become a not-for-profit, to become a foundation and to move operations out here to the Hamptons full-time," said Ms. Ferrara. One would hope that for someone trained in realizing dreams, that such a collective dream, a dream so sweet and tangible, should not be long in manifesting.

On an initial step towards that end, on November 11 the ballerinas of Dancing Dreams will present The Nutcracker, one time only at 1 p.m. at Mary Louise Academy, 176-21, Wexford Terrace, Jamaica Estates, Queens, NY. The performance is free of charge and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book Ballerina Dreams will go to The Dancing Dreams Ballet Program. All are invited.