THERE’S probably that one person who comes to mind when you hear about someone getting injured, and that person is probably me. Getting constant sprains, ligament dislocations, and strains is far from easy to manage. Believe it or not, dancers are more prone to getting injuries than the average person. But why is it that dancers go to such extreme lengths to perform? Why are they so disciplined?

I can still remember the moment when my seemingly healthy feet picked up on the rhythm of music. Before joining my dance team, I had admired the way the girls would move their skirts and the sounds their tapping feet made. In folklorico dancing, you get to dance to the music of your culture. The same goes for when I saw the crazy music combinations from the Hispanic Dance Club; it reminded me of the dances you see at quinceañeras. Being able to express my pride in my cultural background through dancing has revealed so many doors I never thought would open. I’ve been a dancer for three years, and so far, I’ve had an ankle sprain every year! What keeps me going despite my four ankle injuries is not only my love for dancing, but also the joy my family expresses, even though they’re miles away in Mexico.

On top of having natural-born inabilities, I spend so much time on my feet. I don’t just dance; I also run and figure skate when I have time. Some people believe that athletes don’t warm up enough, push too hard, or forget to cool down. In my case, however, I was diagnosed with tarsal coalition on both of my feet, which comes from my genetic background.

You could say my feet are built differently. As a result, I eventually encountered a new challenge: cuboid syndrome in my right foot. This is where ligaments pop out of place persistently due to so much activity.

While I was born with these abnormal issues, they have taken a toll on my athletic performance. Missing out on practices is the most mentally exhausting aspect of constantly getting injured. You see the people most dear to you doing the very same thing you would be doing if it weren’t for your abnormalities.

Knowing that I have to stand back from practices and performances makes me feel disconnected from my own body. I want to think of it as resting, but sometimes it feels like I’m only falling behind. But on the bright side of things, both of my teams have such uplifting spirits. My teams push me to be confident and optimistic, and they’re a huge part of what keeps me going. I couldn’t ask for a better community than the LIA Folklorico or Hispanic Dance Club.

The reasons not to be a dancer are endless. Short or long-term injuries, insecure development, less time for school, stress, stage fright, financial issues, and so much more can scare someone away, or even make a current dancer quit. This is the unseen side of being a disciplined dancer. But when you have the drive, the passion, and the correct people around you, nothing can stop you. While my injuries can get in the way of me doing what I love, I have learned to keep moving forward.