The cheers were loud and the crowd was on its feet after a special performance at the recent Dancing with the Stars event in Charlottetown, an annual fundraiser for Hospice PEI

They cheered on dancer Cameron Gordon, the first participant with Down syndrome to take part in the fundraiser on October 16 at the Delta Prince Edward Hotel.

“It feels really incredible, I almost cried a little,” Gordon said after his performance.

“The crowd was overjoyed and that makes me feel like I can do anything. And I’m so happy and so blessed right now.”

Gordon, who danced to The time of my life from the Dirty Dancing Soundtrack with his dance partner Megan Connors, won the Jury Prize and raised nearly $9,000 for Hospice PEI

This is not the first time the man from Charlottetown has disappointed people’s expectations.

He is a trained powerlifter and has competed in the Special Olympics Canada national games. He has also been dancing for seven years, including one year of classes at Holland College.

“When I dance, I feel happy and powerful,” Gordon said.

Connors has been Gordon’s dance teacher at Dance Virtuosa in Charlottetown for the past seven years and said he has made tremendous progress through hard work and dedication.

“Cameron never ceases to amaze me with his dedication and empathy as a human being. And he is so lovely to be around and a pleasure to have in class because he works harder than anyone else,” Connors said.

Connors chose the iconic Dirty Dancing song for her performance because she thinks the song represents something.

“Cameron and I have the time of our lives every time we’re in this room, whether things are going well or not,” she said.

“We could be lying on the dance floor laughing in the middle of the dance or we could make it to the end. And no matter what happens, it’s always the best moment.”

Gordon’s mother, Catherine MacInnis, says dancing was something he was born with.

“He listens to music and starts choreographing dances in the living room,” MacInnis said.

“He starts telling me how he would choreograph a song and then he shows me how he would execute that choreography… I just find it incredible. I’m very proud.”

She said that people often underestimate what people with disabilities are capable of – and she has been in that situation herself.

A few years ago, Gordon wanted to take tap dancing lessons. MacInnis decided to take the class with him so she could help him go through the steps at home.

“And you know what? He didn’t need me, I needed him,” she said.

“I looked over and he was automatically doing the steps and I had no idea what I was doing.”

For MacInnis, this moment of seeing her son in a lead role alongside other dancers is a chance to show people what people with disabilities are capable of.

“Whether you have a disability, a mental disability, a physical disability or not, everyone should be given opportunities,” she said.

“Years ago, people with Down syndrome were thought to be incapable of doing many things. And there are people like Cameron all over the world… who show us that they can do anything they set their minds to.”

“I just had fun”

Gordon said he was nervous and excited ahead of the big charity event. But his performance – including the legendary Patrick Swayze lift – was great. He danced across the stage with Connors and looked professional and elegant.

“This feels really incredible,” Gordon said after the big dance was over.

“I raised a lot of money and got a lot of help. I’m just happy and just had fun.”