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Dance Instructor Shellie Fraddin Recounts ‘Moving’ TAO Program
Posted on January 26, 2013
by maryann4tao January 24, 2013

“Music and Movement”
facilitator Shellie Fraddin recounts her TAO Program

My first impression was of the building: old and depressing, with residents either in the halls or in their hospital-like rooms screaming or moaning, permeating the overheated air with the smell of bodily fluids. I’ve worked in many facilities like this before, so I wasn’t shocked. I had mixed emotions: sadness for their situation and joy that I could be here today make a difference in their lives.

My second impression occurred during the class. There were about 2-3 staff,  20 residents, mostly in wheelchairs, half asleep, fully asleep or totally disinterested in what was about to take place. I said hello to them, told them who I was and what we were going to do today. In response, some mumbled, some turned their backs to me, others were having manicures, while others just sat there.One or two smiled.  I showed them some steps and arm movements before I turned on the music and asked them to do what I do. I wanted to determine whether they would be able to follow me and whether I could teach them some steps.They were pretty responsive but couldn’t follow any routine. So I discarded my routine and offered them movements that they could do.

I asked the activities assistants to find me percussion instruments for those who were either sleeping or not participating. I gave some people bells to ring or maracas to shake and it kept them involved. I felt it was important for each person in the room to feel the rhythm of the music and to move whatever they could move. I felt so much joy when I saw every single person in the room participating on some level. They either tapped a foot or a finger and applauded after each song. The energy in the room had transformed. They clapped their hands or one hand on the table  and they stomped their feet or a foot in response to the music. We had a ball. We chair danced to songs from all over the world: Zorba The Greek, a Belly Dance, a Cha Cha, a Salsa, a Cumbia, a Merengue, a Waltz, a Mexican Hat Dance, The Hora, the Hokey Pokey and even did The Twist in a chair.We were hootin’ and howlin’, giving everyone permission to make noise and release tension and frustration.

The highlight of the program came at the end, when an elderly gentlemen from France, who spoke very little English told me, “I haven’t felt so alive ever in my entire life. I never danced before today. Thank you and God Bless you. I will never forget you.”  He took my hands and kissed me on both cheeks. I wanted to cry I was so moved. It’s in moments like these, that I realize the impact music and dance have on the lives of all people, especially those in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The Chaplain participated as well and said she’s never seen so many happy, smiling faces in this group as she did during this one hour. When the activities director came in and asked them if they had a good time, in unison they yelled, YES. “Do you want her back for more?” They all resounded a loud YES.

Thank you for the opportunity to bring aliveness and joy back into people’s lives, people who would never have the opportunity to dance without your programs. I am so blessed to be part of your vision and look forward to our next adventure together.

Shellie Fraddin

October 10, 2012
I have been thinking about the wonderful support and care seniors are given in the Hampton Roads communities with Task Force on Aging chapters throughout the community. I belong to 3: Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Chesapeake and expanding my work to include Portsmouth, Williamsburg and Newport News.

The Task Forces on Aging are comprised of caring business people whose focus is on taking care of the needs of seniors throughout the year. There are people representing Independent and Assisted Living facilities, Senior Centers, Hospice, Senior Olympics, Financial industry, health and wellness, exercise and diet, clean water, burglar alarms, home health care to name a few.

The members also volunteer their time to raise money and services for seniors in needs: Ramps Across America, Food for Needy Seniors, Clothing for Needy Seniors. During the holiday season, there are many fundraisers to support these causes. We walk to find a cure for Alzheimer's, Breast Cancer, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and more.

I've researched other states where friends are living who are interested in being part of such a Task Force on Aging, and could not locate others outside of this area. I'm honored and happy to be part of this huge caring family.

Crash: The Movie
Published August 21, 2012 by SHELLIE FRADDIN August 17, 2012-

Have you seen the movie CRASH, that won 3 Academy Awards in 2005, including best picture? This movie impacted my soul. The film takes place in Los Angeles, and tells the interlocking stories of people from all cultures, as well as cops and criminals, the powerful and powerless. Although these people’s lives seem totally unrelated, they ‘crash’ into each other at some point, and become related. This occurs in our lives every day, if we pay attention to the ‘coincidences’.
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In a flashback, the director of CRASH brings his audience to the day before the crash accident which is the first scene. Each person had a different life experience, yet all led to one consequence: the accumulation of intense emotion ready to vent on others. People began to hurt others as a way to release their own frustrations.

COLLISIONS is the theme of the movie and we begin to see collisions between different races, different classes, different cultures, and moreover, different natures inside the characters. We feel like God looking down into this city and their lives.

In the film, the district attorney’s wife, was robbed at gunpoint and later discriminated against the black young locksmith and reprimanded her Asian servant. A white policeman, whose father is sick and can’t sleep at night, was reprimanded by his dad and later humiliated a black director’s white wife.

Although this film focuses on race, color, ethnic differences, it is truly a study of human behavior: that what we think, how we feel and what we do impacts others. The way to avoid ‘CRASHES AND COLLISIONS’ is to identify our pain and suffering, heal ourselves, take responsibility for our thoughts and actions rather than on other people.

The director of Crash conveys that we are living in a society where everyone is closely connected to others. We are all one. Our behavior and thoughts affect others and we will always be impacting, colliding and involved in each others’ lives.