Ariadne was born with complex bilateral Talipes - that’s Clubfoot in both feet - we then discovered she also has a connective tissue disorder as well as several other conditions. She uses a wheelchair outdoors and cannot stand for more than a few minutes without experiencing foot pain.

Ballet and dance has always been one of Ariadne’s passions but it has also been amazing physiotherapy and a key part of her development and recovery on her Clubfoot journey. Ariadne took and passed Grade 1 Class Award during the Covid pandemic just a year after major surgery on her legs and feet after which she had to learn to walk again. This time the rest of the class are doing the exam as individuals but because of her additional physical needs Ariadne needs to take the Class Award. Ariadne attends ballet classes with Miss Amy at https://www.theative.co.uk

Vicky is a musician who has always loved dance and danced in shows as a teenager so when discussing how Ariadne could take a Class Award without being on her own it made sense to suggest they do the exam together. However, unlike Ariadne, Vicky has not been taking regular ballet exam classes and so this felt like a bigger challenge than just learning the exercises and dances in the few weeks before taking the exam. The Royal Academy of Dance will publish the exam date around three weeks before the exam which will be in November or December 2022.

Hospital has been like a second home for Ariadne and Vicky over the last 10 years often with several appointments a week at three different hospitals. Ariadne has had over 50 plaster casts on her legs and feet and five surgeries to help correct her Clubfoot, eventually moving under the care of the Orthopaedics team at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for more specialist treatment. Throughout this Clubfoot journey Steps Charity have provided invaluable support and information and that is why we would like to support them with this ballet challenge. 

Steps Charity Worldwide - We don’t take walking for granted. Steps is the leading charity working for all those whose lives are affected by childhood lower limb conditions. Everything we do is about valuing and supporting individuals, families and carers affected by conditions which have an impact on the legs, hips or feet.We are the only charity which supports the most common and much rarer lower limb conditions.

If you would like to learn more about Clubfoot you can see our wonderful Specialist Physio Denise explain the condition and its treatment here: https://www.stepsworldwide.org/conditions/talipes-clubfoot/

Keep an eye on our update posts to see how we’re doing with learning our exam dances!