Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone (and Into Dance Shoes) For a Great Cause

We are told the benefits of stepping outside of our comfort zones to learn new things. Of course brain health is enhanced, but in some circumstances, others can benefit as well.

Let us tell you about just that…

Attorney Brendan Daly – Managing Partner of Czepiga Daly Pope & Perri. Certified Elder Law Attorney. And…ballroom dancer? Yes, that’s the part about stepping outside one’s comfort zone! Recently, Brendan participated in the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter’s “A Dance to Remember” – a special event and fundraiser modeled after the hit TV show, “Dancing with the Stars,” to benefit Connecticut residents living with Alzheimer’s and to support their caregivers.

There are 78,000 people in Connecticut living with Alzheimer’s and 178,000 caregivers.

This friendly competition, held at Atria in Farmington featured an array of local “celebrity” dancers and judges, many of whom had little to no dance experience. Brendan, who describes himself as having two left feet and as “hopeless” at dancing, agreed to dance lessons – a most frightening challenge that he decided to accept for such an important cause. In his own words, he admitted that it was the “most terrifying thing” he has ever done! However, over the course of a few months, Brendan and the other novice (and nervous) dancers took lessons with their professional dance partners from the Arthur Murray Dance Center to prepare and to show both their courage and their support for the Alzheimer’s Association.

And, the results…

An absolutely fun and entertaining night of impressive dancing, lively music, and food. Most importantly, it raised $5,500 for the Alzheimer’s Association, with every penny staying right here in Connecticut, to provide services such as support to persons living with dementia, education and support of caregivers, advocacy, research, and information for the public.

And, of course, no competition is complete without a winner. Drum roll, please…. The champ of Dancing to Remember and the recipient of the shiny mirror ball trophy is…our very own attorney Brendan Daly! We fully appreciate his willingness to go so far outside his comfort zone for this cause. Congratulations and well done, Brendan!

Is there something you can do that’s a little uncomfortable, but would help someone else? A good question to ponder!

To learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association, their mission, ways you can get involved, or if you are in need of support, visit their website at www.alz.org/ct.

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