Help Ness compete at the 2025 Blackpool Dance Festival
Donation protected
My name is Vanessa and I am 27. I am also deafblind. I am proudly the three-time Australian champion in vision impaired ballroom dancing, and the 2024 Blind Sports WA Sportsperson of the Year.
In 2025, I am planning to attend the 99th Blackpool Dance Festival, where I would be the first Deafblind competitor in the history of the competition! I have been doing ballroom dancing for five years and aside from the two consecutive Australian wins, have achieved amazing results against non-disabled people in many state and national competitions.
In order to compete internationally, I require 2 support people with me. I use Auslan (Australian sign language) along with tactile signing to communicate, which means I feel what is being communicated with my hands. I need full access to my language to participate in this event, which requires me to bring both a communication and sighted guide, and an interpreter. I am required to cover their flights, accommodation and meals, and this is on top of all the costs for myself including a new dance dress.
It’s important to me that other deaf and deafblind children grow up knowing they can achieve anything, and seeing themselves represented in the sports and activities they love.
I would sincerely appreciate your donation to help me see my dancing dreams come true. Every cent counts, no donation is too small.
Thank you so much for helping me reach for the stars!
Organizer
Vanessa Vlajkovic
Organizer
Perth, WA