Walking to our table in a family-friendly Kent pub, I have to slow down for a young pretty girl dressed in a beautiful vintage blue dress. By her appearance you would think nothing is wrong, yet she has always struggled to walk. I patiently wait behind her as she climbs the stairs with difficulty, taking one step at a time, and I realise what we all take for granted. From the age of two, Hannah Clarke was at a disadvantage to other children; she was born with a leg disability.

“I was told from the age of two that the doctors would not be able to do anything until I was 16. So, I was constantly in and out of a wheelchair, unable to run or walk properly.” Disability figures in the UK from Papworth Trust, signify out of 11.9 million disabled people in the UK, only 7% are children. Hannah Clarke is amongst that figure, and you would be surprised with how well she gets on with life like anyone else.

Hannah was determined from a young age

Anyone would think such a severe disability and lack of movement would prevent a child from living their life properly, but Hannah was determined to live as normally as possible. “I always felt left out not being able to run around with the other children, but I took up horse riding and dance which was a huge boost to my confidence.” Extra help was required with both activities, this included assistance with getting on and off the horse, and dances had to be changed around as Hannah does not have full movement in her leg.

A significant part of her struggle was the frustration and upset

At the age of 12 Hannah was referred to Dr Groom, a specialist who once helped repair the limbs of soldiers who fought in the war. “I was told if I’d gone to him years ago, my life would be completely different today,” says Hannah. “I remember crying from frustration afterwards, I’m disgusted that doctors sent me away for years.”

Despite this frustration and upset, Dr Groom wanted to do what he could to repair her legs. Since her referral, Hannah has braved four operations in a hope to fix her legs.

“I’ve had my thigh bone snapped, with frozen chips and a number of screws put in alongside a metal plate, which was then removed in a later operation. The last operation showed my knee cap and thigh were hitting each other, so I had to have the kneecap moved.” Due to the operations, Hannah was told she would have to give up horse riding because if she was thrown off the horse, her leg would immediately snap.

This pushed Hannah’s determination even more

The abiding obstacles and setbacks prove Hannah does not surrender that easily, she has fought against her disability and this is portrayed with how passionately she is talking about dance. “The second I could walk again I wanted to make the most of my legs, so I made dance a bigger part of my life.” Hannah’s face lights up as if she has transported to the world away from the obstacles in her life, proving dance has lifted her spirits.

Her achievements include taking part in exams, gaining incredible flexibility and performing at various places such as the o2 and The Winter Gardens amongst a large audience. “The dances had to be adjusted for me, but I was glad to take part,” says Hannah thankfully. Hannah has enjoyed dancing at the Masque Theatre Dance School where she took part in Street dance, Hip-hop and Contemporary classes.

Dance has been here for Hannah to tackle all that she has been through “I love it because I don’t dance to be good. I dance because I enjoy it and I know what it feels like to not be able to move properly.” As Hannah is telling me this, the enthusiasm in her voice portrays she will never let her disability defeat her.

A small tattoo on the inside of her wrist is in sight as she gestures with her hands. “It is a silhouette of myself doing the splits. I had the tattoo done on my wrist so that I can easily see it and be reminded daily of how strong I am, and to tell myself I can get through the worst of things.”

Hannah is currently awaiting another appointment to discuss a possible fifth operation with her surgeon, but her bravery is an inspiration to all that are born with a disability. She continually pushed herself to achieve the best she could and is now working towards her dream career of becoming a set designer. She has even used her own story within the work to accomplish a Creative Theatre Production degree

“I know I will never be able to dance professionally but it has pushed me in a direction where I will be able to be successful. Although I can’t be up there on stage, a piece of my work can.”