SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - In Balboa Park they were gracefully gliding across the floor, although some of them never took a step. A group of inspirational dancers is out to set a world record.
Their wheels give them wings and their spirits soar on the dance floor. These disabled dancers, under the direction of Joe Torres, are in final rehearsals for a record-breaking performance of the bachata.
"It's a Latin dance, and basically I call it the 'California Shuffle,' Joe said.
On February 16, 40 couples will walk and roll their way into the record books at a free disabled dance showcase to be held at the Balboa Park Club from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Leading the way will be Wheelchair Dancers founder Beverly Weurding.
"It's the most wonderful experience that I've ever had. I was an able-bodied person until about 10 years ago," Beverly said.
Sandra Renfro-Wilson is back out on the floor.
"In 2010 my husband and I started coming when we were dating and looking for something to do," she said.
Sandra took some time off to give birth to her daughter, who is now four months old.
"I'm excited to be back," Sandra said. "I think there's a lot of stereotypes about disabilities, so when you first acquire one it's hard to figure out how you fit into that. So it's nice to see people out there being active and it's not the exceptional people. It's everyday people."
Among the big rollers in rehearsal is the newly crowned Ms. Wheelchair California, Margarita Elizondo.
"Prior to my injury I was a dancer, and I was so scared to start dancing again. It's been so much fun," Margarita said.
There is freedom in the movement, release in the rhythm that cannot be confined by a chair or defined by a disability. It's only limited by our ability to dream.
