Over the years, Linedancer Magazine has highlighted
amazing stories from dancers who have overcome many
problems thanks, in part at least, to their love of dance.
Lynn Howell is one of those incredible individuals and
Laurent met her recently.
ook at the pictures in this strong will of her own. “I just wanted to be
feature. What do you see? A normal, never liked any kind of a fuss.” She
vibrant woman whose love of endured years of physiotherapy and speech
life is evident in every shot. therapy, medication trials to stop the
Always smiling, happy, cheerful, this is Lynn uncontrollable movements, felt excruciating
Howell. And yet. If anyone should have any pain all the time because of the spasms, had
reason to feel sorry for herself, let me tell to stop treatments as her quality of life
you she would be at the front of the queue. receded further by being “doped up”, tried
Judge for yourself. acupuncture and hypnosis all to no avail.
She looks back and says “All this stuff was
When she was three years old, Lynn was horrible, I really hated every second of it.”
involved in a hit and run accident. She says:
“My family were devastated. They were told But her willpower remained intact all
I would never be able to walk or talk again through her trials and Lynn would eventually
as I had brain damage”. The condition was meet her husband, have children and thanks
neurological dystonia, which is a movement to the care from her family not only survive
disorder that causes muscles to contract but enjoy life as much as she could.
and spasm involuntarily. These contractions
force the body into repetitive and twisting “As a child, I always loved to watch dancing,
movements and Lynn says: “My right arm any kind of dancing. Because I could never
shook continuously with wild motions, I even think of learning steps, I would just
also have balance problems, no coordination dream.” However, her sisters encouraged her
memory. It was a miracle I survived at all.” when Lynn became a teenager and she did
attend dance lessons. And remaining modest
Lynn is a candid woman, who speaks as it as always, she adds: “To my surprise, I even
is. And believe me she is not maudlin when got medals for Latin American dancing.”
she says : “I have felt a freak most of my
life, have been treated and looked as odd, One day, one of her husband’s colleagues
tutted at in shop queues because I cannot revealed that he and his wife were teaching
get my money out and drop it on the floor Line dancing. “He asked me to come along
sometimes.” And because she was always and so I did. I did find it really hard but
made to feel different she developed a very kept going and fudging it, though I loved
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