https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmqXFcYmYRk How many times have you felt like you couldn’t do something because of an injury, lack of experience or even lack of confidence? While such reservations may in fact be legitimate cause for concern in some cases, other times the real issue is internal, more so than due to external forces. So now just try to imagine how someone with actual physical limitations is able to push through great obstacles to do things that many others can hardly conceive of. This was the scenario for young Kansas girl Ryleigh Kobel, who at five years old is confined to a wheelchair with Spina Bifida. Many with this congenital defect of the spine not only experience paralysis of the lower body, but sometimes have a mental handicap as well. While many people still seem to be under the assumption that being in a wheelchair means not being able to do a long list of things, that is not the case for Ryleigh and other similarly determined individuals. While Ryleigh may not be able to physically get out of her chair and jump around, she and mentors on her dance team realized that that didn’t mean that she couldn’t still be a part of the team’s upcoming performance. Rather than have her and other special needs students sit out all together, missing out Central Heights High School dance worked Ryleigh and another young girl with Spina Bifida into their squads recent performance during a school basketball game. Watching the two wheelchair bound girls glide and twirl around the dance squad, weaving in and out, in between them with gleaming smiles is a huge inspiration not only to others with special needs, but also to just about everyone who sees it. Their special performance has also turned into a campaign to raise funds for handicap accessible playground equipment, namely a special all accessible swing for Ryleigh. There is a gofundme.com account set up for her. This special routine danced to “Rise Up” by Andra Day, has lyrics that fit the situation so perfectly, as if they were written just for these young ladies and their dance piece. I dare you to watch the video clip, really listen to the lyrics and see if they don’t inspire you to feel like you can take on the world and conquer anything!

-Video clip: The Now News clip by Youtube.com/Delux.