17-6-2023 (JAKARTA) Never underestimate the potential within oneself. A young girl with a passion for dancing, despite being born with a physical disability in both arms and having only a small portion of her left arm, has shown incredible resilience and determination to pursue the art of dance. She aspires to become a dance teacher and hopes to inspire others with disabilities to bravely chase their dreams.
Recently, Indonesian TV channel Trans TV invited this talented young dancer, Yulresia, from Bali, to share her story on the show “Pagi Pagi Ambyar.” During the interview, Yulresia revealed that her desire to dance began at the age of 5. She started learning dance alongside her sister to enhance her life skills and techniques.
Initially, Yulresia faced significant challenges in her learning journey due to her congenital arm disability, particularly in balancing her body. However, through continuous practice and hard work, she has developed excellent balance and performs with remarkable energy.
Her mentor, who accompanied her on the show, mentioned that Yulresia initially struggled to execute many dance movements due to her physical limitations, including finger, hand, head, and eye gestures. This left her feeling disheartened and lacking confidence.
“As dance trainers, we have always been there for her, encouraging her to learn with dedication and preserving the traditional cultural art of Bali dance,” her mentor explained.
“We have a dance studio with 179 students, including 30 students with special needs, the youngest being 4 years old. For those who can afford it, we charge a monthly fee of 50,000 Indonesian Rupiahs (approximately S$4) for 12 classes. Additionally, we provide free dance classes for underprivileged children.”
When asked about how she deals with people or friends who may avoid her due to her physical disability, Yulresia responded with a forced smile, saying that she is used to it and has distanced herself from them.
She further explained that in the past, she felt different from her friends because of her disability. Despite facing exclusion and ridicule, she has learned to change her mindset. Her self-confidence has grown, and she has found her purpose.
When the host delved deeper into what strengthened her self-confidence, Yulresia couldn’t hold back her emotions. With a quivering expression and tears welling up, she struggled to articulate her feelings. Comforted by her mentor, who emphasized the importance of her family’s support, including her role as a teacher, Yulresia found solace.
When asked what motivates her to persevere in learning traditional dance, Yulresia expressed that her sister gives her strength. She aims to follow her sister’s footsteps and finds joy and regained confidence through learning traditional dance. These factors have fueled her determination to continue on this path.
The host concluded by encouraging Yulresia to pursue her dreams, grow stronger in the future, and become a valuable contributor to society, spreading the essence of Indonesian traditional dance worldwide.
In another video shared by the dance academy, Sanggar Pradnya Swari, on their Twitter page, Yulresia performed a short segment of Balinese traditional dance with her mentor in front of a television. Her flexible hand movements and expressive facial expressions were truly remarkable. Despite her arm disability, Yulresia’s progress in learning dance is on par with other students. She exhibits agility and grace in her gestures, and during her free time, she uses her toes to hold and navigate a smartphone, showcasing her life isn’t much different from that of other children.
Yulresia’s inspirational story serves as a powerful reminder that determination and passion can overcome physical challenges, inspiring others to pursue their dreams regardless of any disabilities they may have.
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