One wrong move changed everything for Czech dancer, choreographer and PhD student, Martina Henrichova, who lost the ability to walk in 2013.
But as she explains "not-walking does not have to mean not-dancing!"
Martina, now in her early 30s, has been dancing since early childhood.
Five years ago, in addition to her doctorate studies at university in Pilsen, Czech Republic, where she comes from, she was teaching multiple dance classes. On top of that, she was leading her own dance group, performed in various dance shows and was very well known on the local dance scene.
Her career seemed to be taking off when, one day, at an ordinary training session in spring 2013, Martina didn’t come home from her dance training.
In fact, she has never walked again. A fall from an acrobatic move left her paraplegic.
"I fell down and injured my vertebras and disconnected my spinal cord,” Martina tells SBS Czech.
Sadly, the injury didn't cure well and left Martina in a wheelchair with limited arm movement.
In spite of the injury and the lengthy rehabilitation, Martina has never given up her biggest passion - dancing.
She is now exploring the ways of dancing in a wheelchair.
"I have founded a dance group with both walking and wheelchair dancers," says Martina.
She explains that when creating choreography for a group like this, it can never be a one-size-fits-all approach.
A wheelchair-inclusive dance rehearsal led by Czech choreographer Martina Henrichova Source: Supplied - SBS Czech
"We adjust the choreography to the abilities of everyone," Martina explains. "As not all people who are para and quadriplegic have the same movement ranges."
"I try to make the most of each individuality.
"We now have a male wheelchair dancer, which is great.
"He is strong and can lift a walking dancer for various acrobatic movements - that makes the choreography more interesting."
No leg movement and limited arm movement is not the only problem with which Martina must deal daily.
A wheelchair-inclusive danced choreographed by Martina Source: Supplied - SBS Czech
We had to delay our interview together as I had a cold. An ordinary cold can be extremely dangerous if the chest muscles are not strong enough for her to cough.
And so, a simple sickness that we don't even think about twice, is a potential big danger for a paralysed person.
Explaining how her choreography is constructed, Martina says, "We include movements of arms, heads, trunk and the rolling of the wheelchair is an essential element in the dance."
An ability-inclusive dance performance choreographed by Martina Source: Supplied - SBS Czech
"I am trying to make the choreography different each time and varied.
"We have sections just for wheelchairs, other parts are danced just by walking dancers and of course very important is the cooperation of both."
A wheelchair inclusive dance rehearsal led by Martina Henrichova Source: Supplied - SBS Czech
"I want to show the wheelchair dancers as a part of community, not someone that needs pity."
The team uses different genres such street dance, contemporary and a scenic dance.
Combined together with creative costumes, they create a mesmerizing spectacular that gets standing ovations and has been featured also on Czech television.
"I want to show disabled people as active, creative," says Martina. "It is important to show how elegant and attractive can wheelchair dancers look."
"I want to show the wheelchair dancers as a part of community, not someone that needs pity."
True to this, in her choreographed dances, the dancers are strong, powerful and elegant.
The ability-inclusive dance troupe choreographed by Martina Source: Supplied - SBS Czech
The topic of the active life of persons with disabilities was also part of Martina's doctoratal thesis.
"I focused on return to a life and resocialization via activities,” explains Martina.
This dancer is a living proof that obstacles are there to be overcome.
Surgeon Gabriel Weston reveals the extraordinary people who are helping international scientists make medical breakthroughs and advance knowledge of the human body. Watch below:
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Author's Disclaimer: I have known Martina for some time. Before her accident and after. I can't hide, how much I admire her, she is so strong and so creative. I love how the wheelchair became a way of dancing and the choreographed dances she creates are truly innovative. She also motivates other people in the wheelchair to join her and dance. But she has had big effect also on us, healthy people and the big community of dancers in the Czech Republic, who she inspires and motivates.
