Hi, I’m Isabel (Izzy or Iz to my friends and family) I’m 17 and I’ve been dancing and performing for over 14 years. It’s my passion and my life. I work hard and I love what I do - I’ve always wanted to make a career in performing arts and am currently studying full time for a Diploma in Professional Dance at one of the UK’s leading performing arts colleges.

2018 has been a really frustrating year as I dislocated my knee during a ballet class and haven’t been able to dance fully since February. On the plus side, because I’ve spent less time dancing, my singing and acting training has been coming on a treat! Which is great as it means I will have much more to offer as a more rounded performer once I qualify from college.

An MRI scan revealed that I have damage to my knee’s meniscus as a result of the dislocation plus a condition called osteochondritis dissecans which is rare but common in high performing dancers, gymnasts and athletes.

One of my biggest worries was that I would never be able to dance again due to the pain and lack of movement the dislocation damage has caused.

BUT......my parents managed to find me an amazing consultant who specialises in treating the condition I’ve got and in helping other young people in my position get back to dance or gymanastics or sport.

I’m having an operation to repair my meniscus on the 13th November which is the best news ever.....we’re all really hopeful that after 6 weeks in a splint, I’ll start more physio and be back to doing what I love and what makes me happy - dancing and performing.

The downside is that we’re having to have the operation done privately - I have private medical cover but the policy won’t meet the full cost of the operation.

So this is why I’m crowdfunding - to help raise even just a small amount towards the operation (plus I’ll probably need follow-up surgery next year) but also towards the cost of qualifying as a dance teacher to help widen my options for my future career - I’ll follow my dreams of being a professional dancer and performer but as my knee might always be a weak spot, I’d also love to teach and inspire young people through dance in the same way my teachers have always been role models for me.

Any loose change or £s you can spare to help me on my journey (hopefully to superstardom!) would mean the absolute world to me - thank you x