[ad_1]
WASHINGTON, D.C., USA – Ballet dancers snuggle against each other, peeking into a crowded room through a slightly cracked door. Compared to the rowdy audience waiting for their performance, the dancers are strangely silent. The only sound comes from the material of swaying detailed dresses that adjust in anticipation.
Suddenly, they come into action and make their way to the center of the stage.
This fall presentation is one of the many performances in which these Washington Ballet students participate. But for the dancer Gianna Forte, this performance is special. It's his first time on stage after fighting for his life.
Twenty years ago, Gianna was born with an omphalocele. This condition causes the growth of the child's abdominal organs outside his body in the uterus. After the birth, Gianna was operated on urgently and her organs were placed in her.
Since then, she has led a normal life – even using her body more than most while she was pursuing a career in ballet. But the pbadion that kept her finally led to her disappearance.
In March 2018, Gianna was torn a labrum at the hip. What is considered a typical dancer's injury quickly became what doctors called "the perfect storm."
The doctors badumed that hip surgery and anesthesia irritated Gianna's organs, twisting them. In addition to malrotation, Gianna started suffering from pneumonia and sepsis, a potentially dangerous blood infection. In nine days, Gianna underwent five major surgeries. Doctors and family members were worried about his life.
But true to his nickname given to the hospital, "The Beast", Gianna's strength has never wavered. Ballet taught her to reinforce herself and encouraged her to return to the stage.
On November 2, 2018, Gianna returned. But the showcase was not just special for Gianna.
As Gianna walked the scene, nine-year-old Kenzie Glasgow stared in wonder at the front row. Like Gianna, Kenzie was born with an omphalocele. The two do not remember their rare defect, but the abdominal scars and navels are lacking every day.
"I thought it was really cool that she had an omphalocele too, and now she's a really, really great ballerina," said Kenzie.
Although her difference never dampened Kenzie's pbadion for life, she was delighted when she heard about Gianna's story. Kenzie's mother, Brooke, was also excited. She saw Gianna as a powerful model who was suffering from the same problem.
The doctors also gave them great nicknames. Kenzie was "The Feisty One".
"I would like [Kenzie] always be proud and rocky, and she'll see how you do that, "Brooke said.
They contacted Gianna and her mother, Jodi, and gathered before the window.
"I'm really happy with my return and I can show you that you can do anything," Gianna told Brooke during his meeting.
But the meeting was not special for Gianna and Kenzie, she particularly moved the mothers.
Gianna's mother and father were terrified when they learned six months after the beginning of the omphalocele pregnancy. Without the Internet, they had trouble finding other people who were going through the same situation.
"We never had contact with anyone who had it," said Jodi. "Just knowing that we have been successful in improving someone's life is a very positive feeling."
They consider that their meeting is immense and hope to continue to help other families affected by omphaloceles while continuing to build their relationship with that of their daughter.
[ad_2]
Source link
