On Friday, March 2, Collins Hall will be filled with residents doing one thing in support of a fellow Elliot Laker: Zumba.
Zumba was a way for Tanya Williams to let loose and dance, and since Oct. 31, 2017, that has stopped. On that day, she was rushed to the hospital after receiving the flu shot. Williams, an avid Zumba participant, was fighting for her life and on March 2, Kellie Robinson of No Excuses Zumba, is hoping to bring smiles and sunshine to Williams' face while she undergoes therapy at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto.
"Tanya attended my Zumba classes and brought along her daughter, Colbie, and always brought along other people, whether it was nieces, or friends of family members to the class," explained Robinson. "She loved to dance. I'm hoping this event can lift her spirits and show her how much support she has back home."
Throughout Williams' ordeal, she suffered loss of vision and paralysis from the waist down that started from numbness in her arms which started to affect her vision. Because of aggressive treatment, Williams regained her vision and is learning to walk all over again. There is currently a GoFundMe account that has been set up to help support her husband and her two young children, Colbie and Brody, to help supplement the missing income from Tanya's job.
"She's a wife and mother of two and going from two incomes to one is very hard on them," explained Robinson. "Her husband has been trying. I just thought this would be great support. She's fighting to learn to walk all over again. She loves Zumba and dance and this event is to show her community support."
For Robinson, the importance of the event, entitled Zumba For Tanya, is to help Williams get back to her normal life with her children and husband and to show her community spirit.
"When you look at all the Zumba photos, you can see her smiling and having fun," she said. "Her daughter used to come on stage and dance with me. Tanya loves it."
During the event, photos will be taken to send to Williams who is still in therapy in Toronto.
The event, Zumba for Tanya, is March 2 from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m at Collins Hall. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased at the door or by calling Robinson at 705-865-3419 or Debbie Ouellette at 705-461-9712. Throughout the evening, dancers will be able to make personal donations. All proceeds will be going toward Williams for her recovery.