Meet Kelsey Peterson | Dancer, Writer, Filmmaker, Disability Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelsey Peterson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelsey, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
As a person with a disability, I’m always trying to find ways to make my world accessible, ways to connect with my body in a world that has an a lot more resources available for able-bodied people. I want to be of service to my community while I am learning, and this feels like the best way to do that. I love movement, and it has always been a huge part of my life, but after my injury, I really struggled with finding ways to move. Coming back to dance few years ago, was a revelation for me and it has really been the catalyst for integrating more movement into my life and sharing that with others. I want people with disabilities to see themselves as beautiful and sovereign, and give us ways to connect with that part of ourselves that sometimes feels dormant and distant. Embodied healing is a way for us to maximize our human experience, work through trauma, heal, grow, and connect with our divine essence. It is a way for us to create community in a culture that often separates or dismisses us, especially as marginalized peoples. Starting this path is not only a means of healing, but a means of resistance.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art comes from a place of vulnerability. This is the space where I feel like I have the most opportunity for growth and for making change in a world that so desperately calls for it. It’s never easy to bare your soul, but I find it the most rewarding kind of creativity. I feel like my artistry soars when I am storytelling from a place of authenticity. This was huge for me while filming my first documentary film, Move Me. My co-director, Daniel Klein, taught me so much, and was very conscious of creating trust and a container of safety, so that my vulnerability was able to flourish, in order to make the best film possible. Because of his sensitivity and brilliance,. I was able to bring my most authentic self forward while in such a tender and raw time of my life. That experience taught an invaluable lesson — to build trust and connection with the people you’re in collaboration with, to trust your gut in relationships and in your creative process, and to never be afraid to explore and ask questions. There will always be someone put on your path who has something to teach you, stay curious and open, because that is going to make you a better artist and a better human. Being a storyteller for change comes in many forms for me, and my process with that is surrendering to the flow. I go with where my intuition wants me to go, whether that be multiple projects at one time, or focusing on one at a time, I am always working to strike that balance and LISTEN. I could be writing, or filmmaking or choreographing. I tend to lean into what feels the most helpful and real for me and then find the intersection of that and what the collective needs at the same time. Right now, that looks like me offering marginalized peoples, like myself as a woman with a disability, ways to connect with our bodies, and each other, in order to create change and growth — both within ourselves and our culture. I am most excited about hearing how my offerings change people and connect them to their bodies in ways that bring them healing, joy and comfort.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, I just moved to the big island of Hawaii, so it’s kind of hard to say as a new person, where the best places to go would be…But I have a friend coming to visit in April, and I plan to take her to some fun spots. Day 1: We’d have to go to Sundari Gardens for a soak in their outdoor tub. That way she can rest and rejuvenate after a long day of travel.
Day 2: we’re going to the beach all day. Onekahakaha Beach, and hopefully see some whales. The last time I was there, we watched a mother teaching her baby how to breach, it was so beautiful. Then, we would stop at Lava Thai on the way home — a great little roadside pop-up near us, in Kea’au.
Day 3: We’ll make some lei’s — my dear friend, Jade, taught me. We’ll then bring them to the volcano, as an offering to goddess Pele.
On Thursdays, I love to catch the healing sound bath in Pahoa with some wonderful ladies who guide it.
Friday’s, karaoke at the kava bar, baby.
Saturday: we’re visiting the jam man at Mr. Ed’s bakery, for some deeeelicious locally made jam. My favorite — banana coconut jam. OMG. Then a hike to the Boiling Pots on the Wailuku River
Sunday: we’re going to the Maku’u market — it’s huge and has some awesome local goodies of all kinds — food, plants, clothes, jewelry, crafts, and more
This was actually really helpful for planning my friend’s vacay here, so thanks!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have gotten to this point in my journey of healing and empowerment through some cherished projects and people. I’m so grateful to my dear friend, Gabriel Rodreick, for trusting me with his project, A Cripple’s Dance. Choreographing, co-directing, and dancing in this project truly changed my life and continues to enrich my life as well. I have also been emboldened by the writings of Sonya Renee Taylor, and adrienne marie brown. I am eternally inspired by and grateful to them both. And lastly to my parents, for always encouraging me, and raising me to trust my gut, to believe that I am worthy, and to know that I can do anything with vision, dedication, and belief in myself.

Also grateful to Jenny Sung for being a divine supporter of me as a woman, a fellow dancer, and a person with a disability. She makes me feel truly seen.

Website: https://open.substack.com/pub/carecollective?r=11g5lx&utm_medium=ios

Instagram: @kelseycristinepeterson

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@Mysoquadlife?si=oWSlHurdqaRF1L_y

Image Credits
Noah Forbes Brennan Vance Eliesa Johnson Tyler Croat