You helped Izzy open up to the world— and find a new passion

For years, Izzy would shut down around other people. And her disability made it hard for her to speak her mind. Izzy had a big personality waiting to get out. But no one knew.

“She was pretty closed off,” says her mom, Laura. “She didn’t want to participate in things. And she would never speak up for herself.”

One day, after sitting on the sidelines of a CATA dance class, Izzy stood up and started dancing. All by herself, she performed a solo while her peers cheered her on.

photo by Christina Lane

“When Izzy became part of the community here,” says Dawn Lane, CATA’s Artistic Director and dance teacher, “something clicked.” Now, as a young adult:

Izzy’s like a new person,” says Laura. “She’s totally come out of her shell. I had no idea she had this in her!

For Izzy, CATA is more than just dancing. You’ve given her a place to express herself. Support artists like Izzy today with a gift to CATA!