Cuban Dancer Performing again with Help from Specialists

A rare medical problem almost crippled Cuban dancer Yankiel Vásquez. But a team of physiotherapists helped him recover. The 29-year-old Vásquez is again dancing with Cuba's National Ballet.

Vásquez is from the town of Mantua in rural western Cuba. He joined the ballet in 2011. But shortly after he started, he became sick with Guillain-Barré syndrome¹. That disease of the immune system attacks the nerves. It sometimes makes a person unable to move their arms or legs.

When Vásquez was sick, he thought his dream of dancing with the ballet was finished.

Vásquez said, "It took me several months to learn to walk again." He had to recover physically² and mentally. He said the recovery process was "intense."

This year he returned to the National Ballet, where he is now a "first dancer." This means he has reached an elite³ level in the ballet. Vásquez said: "Reaching ‘first dancer' is what one dreams of as a child."

Cuba's National Ballet began in 1948. It is one of the world's most famous ballet companies. For many years, a school linked to the ballet has helped its students dance in many places around the world.

The Cuban National Ballet has 70 dancers. The company also has a team of physiotherapists who help the dancers stay healthy. The team helped Vásquez become healthy again.

A team of physiotherapists from Chile recently arrived as well. They are helping⁴ the dancers prepare for performances. And they are sharing their knowledge with the Cuban team of physiotherapists.

Viengsay Valdés is director of the National Ballet of Cuba. She noted⁵ that physical exercises are very important. "A dancer is like an athlete. The importance of having physical preparation is essential," she said.

Words in This Story

crippled –adj. unable to walk or move legs and arms

physiotherapist -n. a health care worker who helps restore, improve, or preserve physical movement and function

syndrome -n. a medical problem or condition, characterized by a group of physical changes and symptoms

immune system-n. the system in the body of a person or animal that protects against infection

elite -adj. among the best or at a very high level compared with others

1 syndrome   

n.综合病症；并存特性

参考例句：

• The Institute says that an unidentified virus is to blame for the syndrome. 该研究所表示,引起这种综合症的是一种尚未确认的病毒。
• Results indicated that 11 fetuses had Down syndrome. 结果表明有11个胎儿患有唐氏综合征。

2 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

3 elite   

n.精英阶层；实力集团；adj.杰出的，卓越的

参考例句：

• The power elite inside the government is controlling foreign policy.政府内部的一群握有实权的精英控制着对外政策。
• We have a political elite in this country.我们国家有一群政治精英。

4 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

5 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。