20/08/2025
📷 - Zach, Why Dance? - a personal photography project
"When I was younger, I felt defined by my cerebral palsy, but when I dance, people don't see my disability; they see me and what I can offer. Dance was a hobby that was imposed on me to start with - I was made to do it at school but it became a pathway to a bigger vision for my future. People no longer look at me with pity in their faces. When they see me dance, they're like "this guy is actually good and knows how to captivate an audience". Dance is like a language that breaks barriers. Before I had many insecurities, like everyone does. Now I have the confidence to speak out not just for myself, but also for others. It's easy for people to give up a seat on a train for someone with a disability like mine, but now I'm like... I want more. I want a seat at the table where real decisions are made, and that's what I'm advocating for others with disabilities and SEN. Dance has given me the confidence to get out there and show the world who I am." - Zach, Ndombolo dancer.
Zach graduated with a BA (Hons) in Inclusive Performing Arts from CHICKENSHED and is a Young Leader with The National Youth Ballet of Great Britain.
He works as an inclusive and diversity facilitator within unconscious bias and is also a part time teaching assistant/mentor at an SEN primary school.