Janet’s inspiring dance routine proclaims I Will Survive!
It was just another ordinary day for Janet Pepler..,.but it was one that would change her life forever.
Janet remembers that she was at home preparing dinner when she experienced the devastating effects of a life-changing stroke, only surviving after being in a coma for two months.
She certainly never imagined on that shattering day 17 years ago that she would one day be inspiring people with a new love of dance.
But as she takes centre stage in a chair-based dance routine prepared specially for her, she is delighted to be able to shine to one of her all time favourite songs - Gloria Gaynor’s iconic anthem I Will Survive!
When Janet joined Stepping Forward, the award-winning wellbeing programme delivered by Dancing for Health CIC in Sheffield, she was looking for friendship, confidence and somewhere she felt understood.
What she found in the sessions at the Salvation Army Citadel in Psalter Lane though, was a community that not only supported her recovery but celebrated her unique journey.
And rather than expecting Janet to adapt to the class, instructor Tracey Barnes designed a dance routine around Janet’s level of ability.
Working together, Tracey created movements that reflected the physical challenges Janet experiences every day as a result of her stroke with a routine that acknowledged the restrictions she lives with while celebrating everything she can achieve.
When the whole group learnt and performed Janet's Dance - based primarily around Janet’s ability to move her left arm - it became one of the programme's most moving moments.
“It is so uplifting for someone who has had a stroke to be with other stroke survivors and we are really close knit as a group,” said Janet.
“The group is wonderful - we have a fantastic set of people teaching us the moves and I can now do a lot more than I could when I first started.”
For Janet, the sessions are a powerful reminder that her experiences matter and for everybody else they offer a new perspective on the hidden challenges of living with the long-term effects of stroke.
Through dance, participants quite literally stepped into Janet's shoes, developing greater empathy, understanding and appreciation of the determination required to navigate everyday life after stroke.
The activity also demonstrated why dance is such a powerful tool in stroke recovery.
Unlike repetitive exercise, dance combines movement, rhythm, memory, balance, coordination and decision-making, stimulating multiple areas of the brain simultaneously.
Research suggests this type of activity can encourage neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to create and strengthen new neural pathways after injury and is particularly beneficial for people affected by stroke/brain injury.
By combining physical movement with music, cognitive challenge and enjoyment, dance can help improve coordination, balance, mobility, confidence and overall brain function while making rehabilitation feel rewarding rather than repetitive.
"Janet has taught us as much as we've supported her,” said Tracey Barnes, the Managing Director of Dancing for Health CIC.
“Creating her dance routine wasn't just about movement, it was about recognising her strengths, acknowledging her daily challenges and helping everyone understand what life after stroke can really look like.
“It was a wonderful example of how dance brings people together, builds empathy and reminds us that every achievement deserves celebrating.”
Inspired by stories like Janet's, Stepping Forward has now expanded beyond stroke recovery to support anyone living with the impact of a life-changing illness or event.
The programme continues to use adaptive dance, healthy lifestyle education and peer support to help people rediscover confidence, rebuild friendships and move forward, one step at a time.
Sessions are held every Wednesday from 12.30pm to 2.00pm at the Salvation Army Citadel, Psalter Lane, Sheffield.
To book a free place call 07721046757 or visit www.dancingforhealth.org.uk
Janet's story can also be seen at https://youtu.be/HGXWy3LvQlM