She cannot run, she cannot hop and is cautious not to lose her balance.

But despite it all, she’s a bright, happy girl with a love for life.

Vivian was born with a heart defect called Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL). This is damage and softening of the white matter, the inner part of the brain that transmits information between the nerve cells and the spinal cord as well as from one part of the brain to another.

The lack of oxygen to her brain has resulted in slow motor skills. Fortunately, her brain functions are fine, but the lack of muscle tone in her body causes her to be weak and slow.

Dave and Jacqueline Durr have continuously sought outlets for their daughter to express herself and enjoy the things in life that other little girls love. But it’s difficult to enroll Vivian in activities with other young girls her age because she often can’t keep up. And understandably, her young peers don’t know why Vivian is not like them; and her speech impediment makes communication with other younger girls, difficult.

The Durrs finally found a beneficial activity for Vivian in a Special Needs Dance Class offered at the Mount Pleasant School of Performing Arts.

This creative movement class is designed for special needs children to help them with coordination, balance, imagination and self esteem.

In addition, it teaches listening skills in a very structured environment.

The class began last year with about eight girls. This year’s class only has three young girls, Vivian, Nikki DeWitte, 8, and Grace Myatt, 10.

Their needs vary, but the one common denominator is that they’re thriving under the direction of Larissa Dahabi.

Class participants wear costumes, act out themed routines and use props to enhance their imaginations.

“Music and dancing, for children, is magical,” Dave said.  “Throw in the rest, and they feel so special.”

Dave has watched his daughter progress in this dance class. He said when she began the class last year she would just lie on the floor. But by the end of the program she was fully participating. Each student participates at their own level but all have improved because the class is 100 percent interactive.

“I can say a lot about this class. It has done wonders for Vivian,” he said. “She’s had to struggle so hard for everything and this dance class is such a reward for her.”

Dave said the children can better succeed in this class because they are in their own element as opposed to a class with children that will surpass them.

The program was almost cut from the dance school because of the lack of students who were enrolled. Dave said private dance lessons were not a beneficial option for his daughter. Vivian enjoys the interaction with the other girls the most.

She was enrolled in a dance program when she was 6, and was allowed to participate in the 3-year-old class. However, when they progressed to the bar she could not do it and the Durrs were politely asked to remove her from the class.

That is when he found  Dahabi.

In an effort to save the program at the Mount Pleasant School of Performing Arts he made flyers and distributed them among the local schools. Little by little parents learned of the class, which Dave considers a blessing.

“We were told Vivian would never be able to do anything,” he said. “By 18 months old she was developing brain function, but it was very clear that her muscles and speech were not.”

Doctors have told the couple that while she is progressing, she could very well plateau. But for now, they are pushing forward and looking for ways to give her a wonderful quality of life.

“This class is geared towards her ability and Vivian feels just as beautiful as any other girl in a ballet class,” Dave said.

Natasha DeWitte, Nikki’s mother, just enrolled her daughter several weeks ago. She learned of the program from the flyer sent home by the school. Nikki has been enrolled in dance before, but like Vivian, it became too much.

“This class is geared for her level and ability and is not overwhelming. She’s excited to be here, which is more than enough reason for me to keep coming.”

Maggie Myatt is Grace’s mother. Her daughter has participated in sports such as basketball and swimming and did well. But Maggie wanted to give the dance class a shot— and she hasn’t regretted a minute of it.

“Other parents should just try it and see. They just might be surprised. Larrissa knows how to instruct these children and it is as if she has a background in special education. She truly helps them focus using fun. They get to sing and dance and use their imagination like a normal kid. This class allows her to be herself - to be what God made her to be.”

Parents with children who have special needs are encouraged to look into this creative movement class. It is held every Wednesday at 4:15 p.m. The Mount Pleasant School of Performing Arts is located in National Crossing. For more information, call 971-7880.

(Sully Witte can be reached at editor@moultrienews.com).

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