January 2003 - Brianne Ferguson

Home: Ontario (Canada)
Age: 22 years old
Years Dancing: 20 years
Specialties: Classical Ballet and Modern

I am a dancer who has overcome many things. I was born 6 weeks premature and with two dissabilities. By the age of 2, I was diagnosed with minor Cerebral Palsy and transvers mialidis of the spine and the doctors said it was lucky that I could even walk. However, it was noticed that I would not bend one of my legs when walking.

The doctors told my mother to put me in as many activities as possible and by age 2 and a half years old, I was taking ballet and violin lessons as well as swimming. Although I still love music, ballet seems to be what stuck with me. I have trained with excellent teachers my whole life, but at the age of 14 I was forced to stop dancing due to financial problems in my family, and the fact that my mother was very sick.

I didn't dance for a year and a half and it killed me. My entire family noticed how much it hurt for me not to dance.

Finally, I was able to return to a teacher that I'd had when I was young and I have never stopped dancing since. I just completed a two year college course in intensive dance studies and am now working on a professional school. Even though I have never went to a 'professional' school before, I was still fortunate enough to work with some amazing people in the dance community.

Even if I don't get into an amazing company in the future, I am still happy with where I am right now. I have overcome a lot in my life, but if my mother had not enrolled me in dance lessons at a very young age, it is very likely that I would still have trouble walking.

Thank you Mom!