Joel Garcia, a writer, goes on a hike with his friends and accidentally falls off a cliff, breaking his neck. He is rushed to the hospital and is paralyzed from the waist down. He is then transferred to a rehabilitation center where he meets Raymond Hill, a charming and exaggerated ladies man who had injured his back while lifting a heavy weight, and Bloss, a tough biker with a racist attitude who had lost his leg in a motorcycle crash.
As Joel tries to come to terms with his new-found disability, he is drawn into a dynamic and complex relationship with his fellow patients. Raymond, who is the most optimistic and outgoing among them, often exaggerates his condition and romanticizes the nurses, while Bloss is hostile towards Joel and expresses his racist beliefs freely.
The film depicts the challenging journey of these three men as they learn to cope with their new-found disabilities. Joel struggles to accept the fact that he has lost his mobility and is no longer able to do the things he once enjoyed. Raymond tries his best to keep the spirits of the group up, despite facing his own struggles, and Bloss attempts to come to terms with his feelings of anger and loss.
In the midst of these challenging circumstances, Joel reconnects with Anna, the love of his life, who is struggling to come to terms with Joel's injury. Their relationship is put to the test as they face the realities of life in the rehabilitation center, including the challenges of transitioning back to the outside world.
The Waterdance is a poignant and compelling portrait of the lives of people who have suffered life-altering injuries. The film explores themes of love, loss, and resilience, and demonstrates the power of human connection in times of great adversity.