Bloomington High School North, Nikean, 2011, Page 155

Description:	BallerinaBroughtDownImagine a beautiful ballerina in her prime, as happy as canbe. Then, imagine that same graceful ballerina the next year inwheelchair and unable to perform ever again in her life. This isthe story of senior Hannah Fidler.T have a condition called a continual hip malfunction and Ineed to use a wheel chair to go around, Fidler said. I was bornwith the condition, but it has only given me major problemsin the last two years. In addition to my hips, I have two spineproblems and the pain is constant.At one point, Fidler was a ballerina, and practiced one of themost difficult dances for the human body.I did want to be a ballerina for a while, Fidler said, butwhen the hernias and the back problems appeared I had to stop,because it was too much for my body.Doctors believe the fracture and the hernias are what triggeredthe hip malfunction to get more severe.Tm told it is a very rare condition, but is most common inyounger girls, Fidler said. Other than the surgery theres reallyno treatment for the problem so it can never truly be fixed.However, there are treatments out there for the pain and thatsabout as much help I can get. I take pain medications and go tophysical therapyFidler was a deeply devoted ballerina and was determinedto make it her career, but because of the pain she cant do thatanymore.It can get really hard, since I cant become a professionalballerina like I wanted, but its opened a lot of doors for me, saidFidler.Being handicapped has changed Fidlers everyday life allaround.Its very hard to get around. I never realized how many placesare off limits to handicapped people before I got my wheelchair,Fidler said. Public transportation is also really different, and ofcourse the responses from just people around town are alwaysinteresting to see.Fidler has a story of her own in, which left her with animpression she wont forget. Not long ago Fidler was visitingNew York, but she had some trouble while she was there. Shewas visiting one of the buildings in there, but the budding had noelevator or ramps for handicapped people.Instead of leaving, I then found myself being lifted up on acargo hold surrounded with all sorts of luggage, Fidler said.Things are still difficult for Fidler. She can only go to schoolpart-time and there are places she cant access. Despite all thehardships that are posed towards her, Fidler presses on with anoptimistic demeanor.It may be hard sometimes, but it is also one of the best dungsthat ever happened to me. Its made me stop and think aboutlife, Fidler said. My dream of becoming a professional may bebroken, but I can always make more.Story by Kendra Kaspar
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-bloomnorth/id/7147
Collection:	Bloomington High School North

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