P.E.I. dancer with Down syndrome feels 'blessed' to dance at fundraising gala

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

They were cheering for dancer Cameron Gordon, the first ever contestant with Down syndrome to participate in the fundraiser, held Oct. 16 at the Delta Prince Edward Hotel.  

"It feels really amazing, I almost cried a little bit," said Gordon after his performance.

"The crowd was over the moon and that makes me feel like I can do anything. And I'm so happy right now and I'm so blessed."

Gordon, who danced to The Time of My Life from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack with his dance partner Megan Connors, won the judges' choice award and raised close to $9,000 for Hospice P.E.I. 

It's not the first time the Charlottetown man has defied peoples' expectations. 

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

"When I'm dancing I feel happy and powerful," said Gordon. 

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

"Cameron continues to blow me away just with his dedication and empathy as a person. And he's just so lovely to be around, and he's such a treat to have in class because he works harder than anyone else," said Connors. 

Connors chose the iconic Dirty Dancing song for their performance because of what she feels the song stands for.

"Me and Cameron, every time we're in this room we're having the time of our life, whether it goes well or not," she said. 

"We could be on the floor laughing mid-dance or we make it all the way through. And no matter what, it's always the best time." 

Gordon's mom, Catherine MacInnis, says dance is innate for him.