This was one of the last solo performances I did before getting ill. I hope that one day I will be able to get back to this level of dance. However, I am still recovering from my first attack of NMO which was severe, as I became paralyzed.
I was diagnosed with NMO in June 2020 at age 16. My NMO started with severe vomiting, hiccups and vision loss.
My journey with NMO nearly ended my life. I try to stay positive and remember that I am strong! I like to describe my journey as the 5 stages of grief over my body, as like many people with this condition I was on a large dose of steroids.
The most challenging part of having NMO personally was adapting and accepting my new body. Due to me being fully paralyzed I have had to learn how to do everything again including speaking, as I had a tracheostomy.
I feel my submission is slightly different as this was a video from before I got ill. NMO has caused me to change my career path which I’m sure many others have had to do also however I am so lucky. My new career path of a sports and exercise therapist will allow me to still be in the dance world. I will be caring and supporting young dancers.
