Cuban Dancer Performing again with Help from Specialists
2022-08-31
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1A rare medical problem almost crippled Cuban dancer Yankiel Vásquez.
2But a team of physiotherapists helped him recover.
3The 29-year-old Vásquez is again dancing with Cuba's National Ballet.
4Vásquez is from the town of Mantua in rural western Cuba.
5He joined the ballet in 2011. But shortly after he started, he became sick with Guillain-Barré syndrome.
6That disease of the immune system attacks the nerves.
7It sometimes makes a person unable to move their arms or legs.
8When Vásquez was sick, he thought his dream of dancing with the ballet was finished.
9Vásquez said, "It took me several months to learn to walk again."
10He had to recover physically and mentally.
11He said the recovery process was "intense."
12This year he returned to the National Ballet, where he is now a "first dancer."
13This means he has reached an elite level in the ballet.
14Vásquez said: "Reaching 'first dancer' is what one dreams of as a child."
15Cuba's National Ballet began in 1948.
16It is one of the world's most famous ballet companies.
17For many years, a school linked to the ballet has helped its students dance in many places around the world.
18The Cuban National Ballet has 70 dancers.
19The company also has a team of physiotherapists who help the dancers stay healthy.
20The team helped Vásquez become healthy again.
21A team of physiotherapists from Chile recently arrived as well.
22They are helping the dancers prepare for performances.
23And they are sharing their knowledge with the Cuban team of physiotherapists.
24Viengsay Valdés is director of the National Ballet of Cuba.
25She noted that physical exercises are very important.
26"A dancer is like an athlete. The importance of having physical preparation is essential," she said.
27I'm Andrew Smith.
1A rare medical problem almost crippled Cuban dancer Yankiel Vásquez. But a team of physiotherapists helped him recover. The 29-year-old Vásquez is again dancing with Cuba's National Ballet. 2Vásquez is from the town of Mantua in rural western Cuba. He joined the ballet in 2011. But shortly after he started, he became sick with Guillain-Barré syndrome. That disease of the immune system attacks the nerves. It sometimes makes a person unable to move their arms or legs. 3When Vásquez was sick, he thought his dream of dancing with the ballet was finished. 4Vásquez said, "It took me several months to learn to walk again." He had to recover physically and mentally. He said the recovery process was "intense." 5This year he returned to the National Ballet, where he is now a "first dancer." This means he has reached an elite level in the ballet. Vásquez said: "Reaching 'first dancer' is what one dreams of as a child." 6Cuba's National Ballet began in 1948. It is one of the world's most famous ballet companies. For many years, a school linked to the ballet has helped its students dance in many places around the world. 7The Cuban National Ballet has 70 dancers. The company also has a team of physiotherapists who help the dancers stay healthy. The team helped Vásquez become healthy again. 8A team of physiotherapists from Chile recently arrived as well. They are helping the dancers prepare for performances. And they are sharing their knowledge with the Cuban team of physiotherapists. 9Viengsay Valdés is director of the National Ballet of Cuba. She noted that physical exercises are very important. "A dancer is like an athlete. The importance of having physical preparation is essential," she said. 10I'm Andrew Smith. 11Nelson Acosta and Mario Fuentes reported this story for Reuters. Andrew Smith adapted it for VOA Learning English. 12_____________________________________________________________________ 13Words in This Story 14crippled -adj. unable to walk or move legs and arms 15physiotherapist -n. a health care worker who helps restore, improve, or preserve physical movement and function 16syndrome -n. a medical problem or condition, characterized by a group of physical changes and symptoms 17immune system-n. the system in the body of a person or animal that protects against infection 18elite -adj. among the best or at a very high level compared with others 19_____________________________________________________________________ 20We want to hear from you. 21We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 22Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.