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Feature: Chinese handicapped performers inspire Toronto audience

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TORONTO, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- A group of Chinese disabled performers touched the hearts of their audience here Friday with a stunning show.

But it was not just their graceful dances and incredible artistic skills that kept the audience in awe, but also the underlying message conveyed throughout the performance. [ Through their impeccably delivered songs and dances, the Chinese Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe proved no challenge is ever too great to overcome.

Whether it is a visual or hearing impairment or a physical disability, none of the 45 performers let it stop them from executing the complicated choreography in utter perfection.

"I'm pretty inspired," Justin Poy, a big fan of Chinese arts, told Xinhua after the show. "This is actually quite unique... I'm really amazed at the talent."

"It really is an eye-opener," Meena Tanna said. "We take so much for granted. I mean we have all our abilities to see, to hear, to talk and so many people don't. And we really should look out for people with disabilities, because it's a huge issue in this world and it's amazing what people do with it. It doesn't hold them back."

The inspirational message was a recurring theme among show-goers throughout the night. But it is not the first time the troupe has left such a deep impression on their audience.

Having performed in more than 60 countries, and for the third time now in Canada, the group leaves a mark wherever it performs "My Dream." Founded in 1987, the show features a mix of Peking Opera, classical ballet, jazz music and latin dance.

One of the biggest highlights of the night, evidenced by the audience's enthusiastic applause, was when 20 deaf dancers took the stage for their Thousand-hand Bodhisattva dance.

"My favorite part was with the Buddha coming out and all the women and men performing that act," said Tanna. "The costumes, the presence, everything was beautiful."

Named a UNESCO Artist for Peace, the internationally acclaimed troupe is directed by lead dancer Tai Lihua, who lost her hearing when she was only two years old.

Tai overcame the challenge early on in life and has harnessed her disability into a source of power, helping and inspiring young dancers like her.

Over the years, Tai has received recognition for her performances from across the world. But she never takes it for granted.

"During this performance in Canada, the curtain call in particular, I can see the audience's appreciation to us from their eyes and applause," she said. "It gives us a lot of encouragement and support."

Besides the audience's support, a large part of their success comes from the help they offer one another. These are the words they used to describe their relationship, according to their website: "I am your eyes, and you are my ears; I am your mouth, and you are my legs."

With this united front, performers have won over fans from all across the world and given them a new perspective on life.

"I think the message truly is that you accept people for who they are, never think that you're not capable of doing something because you have a disability, because, look around, these people are all truly capable doing what they're doing, they're excellent singers, excellent dancers," Toronto fan Renu Kapur said.

"They have visual impairments, they have hearing impairments, they can't listen to the music, yet they're dancing, they're singing, how incredible is that," Kapur added.

The troupe has gone from being an amateur organization with low artistic levels to performing on stage at the Paralympics and various events. It now has a program for developing and training young talent to help those with disabilities.

It will also perform in Ottawa and Montreal, and half the ticket sales from their shows in Canada will be donated to local charities. Enditem