Dancers with Down syndrome from local studio to perform at Special Olympics World Games

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KABC) -- Dancers from a local studio that specializes in classes for individuals with Down syndrome will be showcasing their talents at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles.

Free 2 Be Me Dance was founded by Colleen Perry. In 2009, Perry read an article about a dance program in Boston that catered to people with Down syndrome. Less than a year later, she started a similar program in Southern California.

"I was looking for my soul's calling all my life, and when I read that article, I knew that that's exactly what I was supposed to be doing, and it was as simple as that," Perry said.

The dance program promotes wellness and fitness, but the students' parents say it does so much more.

"She doesn't have friends closer to my house. So here, they interact with each other," said Lucrecia Palacios of Gardena. "That's something that she didn't get in a regular school when she was attending."

Other parents say their kids love to get dressed up and hit the dance floor.

"Seeing him dancing over there makes me really proud as a mom of a Down syndrome kid," said Susan Williams of Eagle Rock.

The Free 2 Be Me dancers will be performing at two events during the Special Olympics World Games, but Perry has a bigger dream. She has a message for Stevie Wonder, who is headlining at the big opening ceremonies at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

"Wouldn't it be the most amazing thing to have the Free 2 Be Me dancers dancing in back of you as you perform for the crowd and to give them this opportunity to do backup for you? That is the dream of my life in this moment," Perry said.

To get more information about the Special Olympics World Games, visit abc7.com/specialolympics.