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Life Enrichment Center hosts prom for elderly, disabled

Star - 5/12/2018

May 12--A sense of youthful joy could be seen on the faces of even the most senior people cutting a rug on the dance floor during prom at the Life Enrichment Center.

The adult daycare serves a wide range of folks, from the elderly to people with disabilities. Fun activities are always on the docket at the center, but the "A Night in Paris"-themed prom on Friday was a big event for all involved.

"Anything that we can do to add reality to their life, to add a spark to their day, that's what we try to do," Chad Roseboro, program coordinator for the Life Enrichment Center, said.

Roseboro said quite a few of their older participants never went to a high school prom because they left school at a young age. Others got to relive their youth, but with a modern twist.

Jim Niskala watched a large group dance along to "Cupid Shuffle," a song that came out several decades after his high school prom. He enjoyed having a prom experience so different from his own.

"I went to the prom, but not like this. That was before we had loud music," he said.

Marlene Willis was able to attend the Life Enrichment Center prom with her husband, Albert. He has Alzheimer's and goes to the Shelby center five days a week.

Marlene said her husband was always a great dancer. He was dressed up in his nicest sports coat and tie when he hit the dance floor Friday.

"This is the best place in the whole wide world," Marlene Willis said.

Roseboro said the staff stayed late and worked hard to put up decorations and get everything together so people could have the full prom experience.

The event even brought together the two sides of the Life Enrichment Center's participants.

"To see them accept one another and have a good time is breathtaking," Roseboro said. "Prom is just a time for them to eat, drink, be merry and dance."

Casey White can be reached at 704-669-3339 or cwhite@shelbystar.com.

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