I’m late to the party with most things I come to love, including Strictly. It was my grandma’s favourite show, and I regret now my thorough indifference at the time and constantly saying I hadn’t watched it whenever she’d ask me because I understand now that she just wanted someone else to gush about it with and  share her enjoyment of it with, because I was the only member of the family who might’ve understood!

When Grandma passed, I resolved to watch as a way of feeling closer to her, keeping her memory alive. My first series as a regular viewer was the year Ore won, and I’m definitely a fan now.

I’ve always had a bit of a love/hate relationship with dance. I am in awe of people like yourselves because of the skill and stamina and everything involved, but that’s mixed with a whole load of other more negative emotions that stem from my disability: I have Cerebral Palsy  and use a wheelchair. Essentially, the condition means that parts of my brain, specifically those that control movement, posture and balance are damaged and it also affects my co-ordination and fine motor skills. When you get right down to it, my disability limits what I’m able to do physically, and I often struggle with a really weird mix of envy and sadness; especially when watching dance. The ways in which my disability limits my life often get me down, but am generally pretty positive and stay upbeat, and am slowly trying to beat the negative feelings I have and embrace my love and appreciation for dance more!

Both of you have been a massive part of that journey: I love your inventive choreography, but more importantly the passion for what you do along with your energy and enthusiasm never fails to make me smile, and I love your senses of humour and the banter! I wasn’t lucky to see your first tour, so when Remembering The Movies came around, I was determined to be there…

My friend and I were in your Palladium audience and we had an absolute ball and have resolved to make seeing you both a tradition that we’ll share from now on! If I had to pick my favourite moments it would be the dance to “Kissing You” – (Janette I loved how you say this one made you quite nervous as it’s stripped back to the two of you, and so on, but it was so beautiful!) and the West Side Story section (the musical theatre nerd in me was so thrilled!) but of course we loved every dance and for me it was just wonderful to see you in the flesh. Not to mention your incredible fellow dancers and singers.

I guess what I’ve been trying to say, in my rambling inarticulate way, is thankyou for the joy you bring to this four wheeled fan- I hope one day to be able to say so in person!

Until that time,

 

Love always

Kerrie x