ISABELLA DANCES BACK TO HEALTH
ISABELLA Murray-Daff shouldn’t be dancing, let alone doing pirouettes.
Diagnosed with scoliosis at 14 years old, the passionate gymnast was left heartbroken when she was told she would have to give up her sport.
“I loved gymnastics, it was my favourite thing to do in the world,” said the Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School student.
“I cried a lot. I didn’t know what else I was going to do.”
It was in her darkest moments that she was introduced to ballet teacher Dianne Cassillis, who helped her swap tumbles for tutus.
“I was invited to trial with Dianne at First Position Ballet, they made me feel welcome, I realised it was something I could do,” Isabella said.
After undergoing painful keyhole surgery in June, the Tweed teen took to the dance floor while still in recovery.
“I just fell in love with the way I could express myself with it,” she said. “I am happy I can do something again.”
The teen is now part of the Gold Coast Youth Ballet Company, the first and only local youth ballet company offering performances.
She hopes to play a major part in the first show.
“It was all thanks to Miss Cassillis who eased me back into ballet but was still focusing on my recovery and technique,” Isabella said.