Local Detective Works Through Injuries To Dance For Good Cause

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Corinne Orchowski rehearses at Arthur Murray Dance Studio downtown to compete in Friday night's "Dancing for a Cause" fundraiser.

But the talented gymnast suffered a setback on a Ft. Lauderdale beach on Labor Day weekend.

"I did a simple back walkover, and then I jumped into a split," she said. "And as soon as I jumped into the split, I immediately felt my hamstring tear."

Physical therapist Lyneil Mitchell told her to forget dancing for a while. But he says she rejected that advice.

"No matter what I do, it doesn't matter if she's not willing to do it. And she was willing to do everything, and go above and beyond," said Mitchell.

A week and a half ago, she tried a series of flips, which caused another injury.

"I came down too forcefully on my wrist," she says. "Heard the crack, felt it, and immediately, I knew something was wrong."

The broken wrist forced her, finally, to scale back. She's had to learn a whole new dance routine in one week.

As an Allegheny County Police detective, she says the cause she dances for is worth the pain.

"Closely working with child abuse victims and families almost every single day, I felt that 'The Watchful Shepherd' was a worthy cause," said Orchowski.

Watchful Shepherd Board President Claudine Femiani says alert systems are placed in the homes of child abuse victims.

"It's connected to our national response center in the LifeFlight tower at Allegheny General Hospital," she said. "There's a 'help' button on the side, and this is the wrist button the child wears."

Within seconds, help is on the way.

But will the dancing detective be tempted to try some extreme dance moves Friday night?

"I want to say no," she responds.

Good answer.

"Dancing for a Cause" takes place Friday night, 6 to 7:30, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Southpointe. Tickets are still available by calling 724-941-3339.

Visit this link for more information.

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