Grace in Adversities: The Untold Stories of Dancesport Athletes with Disabilities
##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.sidebar##
##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.main##
Lionelle Rei Balgos
Abstract
Sports for persons with disabilities (PWDs) are increasingly gaining global recognition. However, their stories of struggle beyond the athletic arena remain underrepresented and insufficiently documented, particularly those of dancesports athletes with disabilities. This study explored and understood the narratives of dancesport athletes with disabilities. The researcher employed a qualitative research approach, specifically a narrative design. The participants were purposively chosen and interviewed through in-depth interviews using a validated interview guide. Cross-narrative analysis was employed to generate themes extracted from the participants' transcripts. The themes that emerged from the participants’ stories of struggles involved entering the sport with uncertainty and having a limited support system. The themes that reflected their accomplishments highlighted growth in confidence and the attainment of tangible milestones. Moreover, the themes identified from the coping mechanisms encompassed persistent skill practice, internal dialogue rooted in motivation, and reliance on an external support system. The participants also shared insights highlighting the need to strengthen inclusive sports programs and support networks to enhance the participation and visibility of persons with disabilities within the athletic community.
Downloads
##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.details##
Copyright (c) 2025 Lionelle Rei Balgos
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
References
Acton, L., 2022. Barriers and opportunities in adaptive sports. New York: Routledge.
Aitchison, B., Rushton, A.B., Martin, P., Barr, M., Soundy, A. and Heneghan, N.R., 2021. The experiences and perceived health benefits of individuals with a disability participating in sport: a systematic review and narrative synthesis. Disability and Health Journal, 15(1), p.101164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101164
Alampay, E. A., Cureg, E. F. & Quebral, D. J., 2018. Assessment of Local Mechanisms for Programs and Services for Persons with Disabilities: Focus on the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO). Coalitions for Change Program.
Albrecht, J., Elmose Østerlund, K., Klenk, C. & Nagel, S., 2019. “Sports clubs as a medium for integrating people with disabilities.” European Journal for Sport and Society, 16(2), pp. 88–110. DOI: 10.1080/16138171.2019.1607468
Alhumaid, M.M., Adnan, Y., Said, M., Alobaid, M.A. & Khoo, S., 2024. Empowerment and social inclusion through para sports: A qualitative study on women with physical impairments in Saudi Arabia. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1366694. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1366694
Balgos, L.R.C. and Albores, N.J., 2025. Within the classroom doors: unveiling the lived experiences of general education teachers in handling learners with special educational needs. International Journal of Educational Management and Development Studies, 6(1), pp.27 54. https://doi.org/10.53378/ijemds.353145
Berthiaume, L., Kwan, A. and Torres, J., 2024. Inclusive education strategies for diverse learners. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
Bulut, S., Rostami, M., Hajji, J., Boltivets, S., Saadati, N., Yang, J., McDonnell, M., Chikwe, C. & William, E.A., 2024. Adaptive Sports and Mental Health: Exploring the Psychological Outcomes of Engaging in Sports for Individuals with Disabilities. Journal of Assessment and Research in Applied Counseling, 6(2), pp.113 119. doi: 10.61838/kman.jarac.6.2.14
Christiaens, M. & Brittain, I., 2023. The complexities of implementing inclusion policies for disabled people in UK non-disabled voluntary community sports clubs. European Sport Management Quarterly, 23(4), pp.1046–1066. doi:10.1080/16184742.2021.1955942
Creswell, J.W., 2014. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. 4th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Darcy, S., Ollerton, J. & Grabowski, S., 2020. “Why Can’t I Play?”: Transdisciplinary learnings for children with disability’s sport participation. Social Inclusion, 8(3), pp. 209–223. doi:10.17645/si.v8i3.2750.
Fitri, M., Zainal Abidin, N.E., Novan, N.A., Kumalasari, I., Haris, F., Mulyana, B., Khoo, S., & Yaacob, N. (2022). Accessibility of Inclusive Sports Facilities for Training and Competition in Indonesia and Malaysia. Sustainability, 14(21), 14083. DOI: 10.3390/su142114083.
Fontanilla‑Pimentel, S., 2020. Improved Access and Participation for Persons with Disabilities in Local Governance. Policy & Governance Review, 4(1), pp. 1–13. doi:10.30589/pgr.v4i1.278
Garcimartín, A., Redondo‑Fernández, Á. & Pérez‑Tejero, J., 2025. Factors influencing sport development among women with disabilities: a case study of a visually impaired Spanish Paralympic woman. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 6, p. 1518489. doi:10.3389/fspor.2024.1518489.
Isidoro Cabañas, E., Soto Rodríguez, F.J., Morales Rodríguez, F.M. & Pérez Mármol, J.M., 2023. Benefits of adaptive sport on physical and mental quality of life in people with physical disabilities: A meta-analysis. Healthcare, 11(18), p.2480. doi:10.3390/healthcare11182480
Isidoro Cabañas, E., Soto Rodríguez, F.J., Morales Rodríguez, F.M. & Pérez Mármol, J.M., 2023. Benefits of Adaptive Sport on Physical and Mental Quality of Life in People with Physical Disabilities: A Meta-Analysis. Healthcare, 11(18), p.2480. doi: 10.3390/healthcare11182480
Karstensen, V., Piskorz-Ryń, O., Karna, W., Lee, A., Neo, X.S. & Gottschlich, D., 2024. The Role of Sports in Promoting Social Inclusion and Health in Marginalized Communities. International Journal of Sport Studies for Health, 7(3), pp. 41–48. doi: 10.61838/kman.intjssh.7.3.6
Kurniawan, A. & Samudro, B.R., 2024. Optimizing social and economic inclusion through adaptive sports programs for persons with disabilities: A pathway to achieving SDGs. International Journal of Current Science Research and Review, 7(5). (Open access)
Ladwig, J.C., Sibley, K.M. & Ripat, J., 2025. Community‑informed recommendations to developing inclusive dance with dancers with the lived experience of autism, intellectual, or developmental disability. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities. (In press) doi:10.1111/jar.70060
Lorenzo, M., Chen, H. and Silva, R., 2025. Promoting participation among persons with disabilities: Policies and practices. Singapore: Springer.
Mira, T., Costa, A.M., Jacinto, M., Diz, S., Monteiro, D., Rodrigues, F., Matos, R. & Antunes, R., 2023. Well Being, Resilience and Social Support of Athletes with Disabilities: A Systematic Review. Behavioral Sciences, 13(5), p.389. doi: 10.3390/bs13050389
Mira, T., Jacinto, M., Costa, A.M., Monteiro, D., Diz, S., Matos, R. & Antunes, R., 2023. Exploring the Relationship between Social Support, Resilience, and Subjective Well Being in Athletes of Adapted Sport. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1266654. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1266654
Pandya, R., 2024. Inclusive practices in modern education. London: Academic Press.
Ramsden, R., Hayman, R., Potrac, P. & Hettinga, F. J., 2023. Sport participation for people with disabilities: Exploring the potential of reverse integration and inclusion through wheelchair basketball. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3), p.2491. doi:10.3390/ijerph20032491
Ramsden, T., Nguyen, P. and Clarke, S., 2023. Accessibility in community sports programs. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Sakalidis, K.E., Fadeeva, A., Hettinga, F.J. & Ling, F.C.M., 2023. The role of the social environment in inclusive sports participation — Identifying similarities and challenges in athletes with and without intellectual disabilities through coaches’ eyes: A qualitative inquiry. PLOS ONE, 18(1), e0280379. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0280379
Shao, J., Cui, Z. & Bao, Y., 2025. Adaptive Sports Programs as Catalysts for Social Inclusion and Cognitive Flexibility in Inclusive Physical Education: The Mediating Roles of Emotional Resilience and Empathy. BMC Psychology, 13, Article 770. doi: 10.1186/s40359-025-03092-2