Thread: hi, Im Tracey. 2 years ago I had my leg amputated, now I am dancing again...

Hi Tracey, welcome. I just read your story...amazing and inspiring. Thank you for sharing your experiences and strengths.

Tracey, I am so inspired and awed at your tenacity and energy for the dance, your family , and yourself. I was just having a very stressful experience today and feeling very overwhelmed then I read your story and really realized that I needed a perspective wake up call! That focusing on the love that exists is really the only true power I think. Thank you so much for sharing, enjoy it all, and welcome back, Aunna

Hi, Tracey, you may not know me, but I'm a close friend of Michelle Pender. She told me the other day that you are thinking of dancing again, and I'm so glad to hear this, and your certainly going to be an inspiration for a lot of people. All I can say is... Go Girl! xxx

Originally Posted by Taj

...I think even people who didn't know you personally were terribly shocked and saddened. And look at you now--wow! Thank you so much for coming back to dance!

This. Inspirational.

Hi Tracey and welcome to Bhuz! Thank you so much for sharing your story, it is truly inspiring - you are a very amazing and strong woman!!

Yeah! Nice to meet you! I have almost the same Abla as in the photoshoot. When you come to MN we can do a duet!

Dance is so personal and spiritual, glad that to be reminded and that you remembered.

Tracey,
You're a great inspiration to dancers everywhere!

Nisaa

Tracey, your story is amazing. Wow, that accident sounds devastating! How ever did you keep your spirits up through all that? I'm so glad to hear that your prosthetic limb has enabled you to return to a more active lifestyle!

Welcome back to the dance, I hope you'll be able to fully express yourself once again in dance!

What am amazingly inspirational story! Thanks for sharing.

I'm so impressed. Bizarrely, I've often wondered if it would be possible to continue dancing if one lost a limb; I've met Mark Inglis (a mountaineer who lost both his legs from the knee down) and know some people come back from it, but this is a real achievement on your part.

Tracey, we met at Majma 2006, in the UK. You did the footage and sent me the dvd. We met again at Fantasia (April 2007) and at that time I knew it was you who had sent me the dvd. I don't know if you remember me. I'm Ana, from Portugal.
I had no idea of what happened to you... I think you're a beautiful woman, a wonderful person and you have a beautiful family! I admire you as a dancer and as a human being. You're an example of determination, strength and love for life.
I'm so glad to see you're back to dance! Welcome!

Hi Tracey
I remember Afra al Kahira telling everyone about your unfortunately accident at the time, and funnily enough was only wondering about how you've got on the other day! If there is one dance that you can continue doing with that sort of injury, it's belly dance, so great to see you are dancing again. Best wishes, and hope to see you dance soon.

NIce to meet you and thanks for sharing your story with me! I love to read about all the bhuzzers on this board overcoming their challenges whether they are large or not so large. Just proves that once this dance gets a hold of you, it doesn't let go. Cheers to you and hugs

you are awsome ! do not set any limits on your self. you are a strong beautiful women.

wow, you sound amazing! i am moving back to the UK next year, I hope our paths cross some time

Wow....you give me inspiration!

You are soooooooooo gorgeous and truly inspiring and AMAZING!!!

Big kisses xx

Originally Posted by Joyusdancer

Hello to my fellow dancers.

In 2006 I won the UK National Belly Dance Competition in London held by Shafeek Ibrahim.
Just 7 months later I was knocked off my Yamaha XV535 and my left leg had to be removed below the knee as it was so badly crushed on impact.
It was absolutely devastating, but I had met the love of my life three weeks earlier and he stuck by me every step of the way.
Now I have a 15 month old son and I am returning to dance on a prosthetic limb.
I love this dance so much, at times I thought I would never manage to dance again, but I can! maybe I won't be winning any competitions, but that is not what this dance is about. To me it is a celebration of who we are and I still have so much to celebrate!
I am teaching again which I always loved so much and every week I really look forward to it, we have so much fun together. Passing on this dance gives me the greatest joy.
Soon I hope to make my debut performance in the UK at WADA's hafla on 28th November in Salisbury and my lovely fiancee will be there, as ever supporting me.
I know there are a lot of fab women out there who support each other and I would just like to say a big Hi to you and to tell you how wonderful you are. It is friends like these that give me the confidence to return to performing in public.
I have a website, Home. in case you wanted to know more about my story.
If you know of anyone who may benefit from talking to me I would be more than happy to do so.
Love
Tracey

Hi Tracey!
You are exactly why I am here! I have my own obstacles I have & still are overcoming! I have never felt sorry for myself because I have always known there are people out there a lot worse off then I have ever been! You are such an inspiration! Wow, I'm sooo proud of your determination & making it work! You are awesome!
I was born with a dislocated hip with multiple surgeries since I was a year old. Most of my life, my left leg was shorter than my right. I had a hip replacement 4 years ago, I am now 44. My doctor lengthened my leg, so now it is a litter longer than my right one, still trying to get used to that. Because of that I can't stand with my feet touching because it makes my knee bend, so that makes me have to adjust my belly dance moves. On top of my arthritis in both knees & hips, & now my right hip aching almost everyday! Belly dance does make my hip & knees hurt, but I make adjustments & make it work! As long as I keep up with my exercises, I can control the pain! My left leg is also a lot weaker than my right which interferes with my shimmy's, so I just remind myself, if I want to be good at BDing, I just have one more reason to get stronger & keep exercising! Talking to others who have overcome so much more than I have, keeps me going! This is not a pity me story, it's a story to share & hopefully be an inspiration for someone else! God Bless All!

God Bless You, Tracey! You are strong and getting back to what you love and enjoy doing...dancing. With love and support, you have shown everyone that even with a mishap, you are able to overcome it with adjustments in your life.
You are an inspiration to all of us. Thank you for sharing your story.

Tracey... you are so amazing! What a strong woman and an inspiration to us all. Reading your story this morning brought tears to my eyes. I admire you so much and think we can all learn something from you - to never, ever, ever let anything stop us from dancing.

that is what I love about this dance: not only the support of the other dancers, but that no matter what you are dealing with, have dealt with or have been dealt, you can still be a dancer. It's not about your body type, weight, particular physical aspects, or ability level. It is about you and your joy of movement and life that comes through in the dance.

So I am glad you are returning to a dance that you obviously enjoy and will serve as an example to me to remember when I am fretting about my "issues"!

You are the definition of what strength is truly about. You have made my heart melt... anybody got a mop?

<3

Originally Posted by ANA_bellydancer

Tracey, we met at Majma 2006, in the UK. You did the footage and sent me the dvd. We met again at Fantasia (April 2007) and at that time I knew it was you who had sent me the dvd. I don't know if you remember me. I'm Ana, from Portugal.
I had no idea of what happened to you... I think you're a beautiful woman, a wonderful person and you have a beautiful family! I admire you as a dancer and as a human being. You're an example of determination, strength and love for life.
I'm so glad to see you're back to dance! Welcome!

Hi Ana, of course I remember! I do hope to see you again. Love Tracey x

Originally Posted by downday

Hi Tracey!
You are exactly why I am here! I have my own obstacles I have & still are overcoming! I have never felt sorry for myself because I have always known there are people out there a lot worse off then I have ever been! You are such an inspiration! Wow, I'm sooo proud of your determination & making it work! You are awesome!
I was born with a dislocated hip with multiple surgeries since I was a year old. Most of my life, my left leg was shorter than my right. I had a hip replacement 4 years ago, I am now 44. My doctor lengthened my leg, so now it is a litter longer than my right one, still trying to get used to that. Because of that I can't stand with my feet touching because it makes my knee bend, so that makes me have to adjust my belly dance moves. On top of my arthritis in both knees & hips, & now my right hip aching almost everyday! Belly dance does make my hip & knees hurt, but I make adjustments & make it work! As long as I keep up with my exercises, I can control the pain! My left leg is also a lot weaker than my right which interferes with my shimmy's, so I just remind myself, if I want to be good at BDing, I just have one more reason to get stronger & keep exercising! Talking to others who have overcome so much more than I have, keeps me going! This is not a pity me story, it's a story to share & hopefully be an inspiration for someone else! God Bless All!

It sounds like you have had your own mountain to climb. It's amazing how pain cannot prevent the enjoyment of the dance. I have very restricted mobility around my knee and no natural movement of the ankle on the prosthetic clad leg). However the drive to make the dance look good, keeps me working hard on it and finding ways around my restrictive body. At the end of the day I have a dancers spirit and my body has no choice to comply somehow. I love choreography and that alone will continue to push me to the limits. You go girl, I'm with you. x x

Thank you for sharing your story! You go girl!!