Reach Out on Inspiration

Young Dancer with Disability Proves Ability In Weekly Mai-Kai Performances

Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Maima Levy loves to dance. At 2 1/2 years old and standing 30 inches, she is the youngest, smallest and newest member of the Mai-Kai children's dance show performed Sunday evenings at 7:15

Maima was born with a disorder that caused a femur to not form in her right leg. As a result, the leg is 8 to10 inches shorter than her left leg. She wears a prosthetic device to compensate for the differences in length. And she dances as well as anyone with two legs the same length. Maima began dancing with her older cousins in the show by accident, according to her father Dave Levy, the restaurant's managing owner.

"She was standing back stage, and insisted, as only a 2 year old can do, that she was going to dance," he says. "So we dressed her in a dance costume and she went out and performed."

In the Sundays to follow, Maima danced in five umbers, then eight. Now she dances every Sunday until mid-December when the children's show takes a break until April.

"Maima's little dynamo", says her father. "She's an inspiration to everyone, especially to the children she dances with. They see beyond what's different about her - she's a little kid and a dancer."

The Mai-Kai is located on Federal Highway between Oakland & Commercial blvd's in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Serving Oriental, American and Continental cuisine, the 36 year old Polynesian restaurant is a fort Lauderdale landmark. or reservations call: 954-563-3292

Story originally printed in Reach Out Apr-June '93
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