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<div>Dearest Friends and Loved ones ,

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<div>Dance Students, and Fellow performers

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<div><br />

</div>

<div>I tend to have a hard time asking for help. 

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<div>But if there was ever a time, this is it.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>As most of you know I've made my livelihood teaching dance fitness, movement and performing most my life.

</div>

<div>A profession that comes with its fair share of aches and pains.

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<div>Most of which I muscle through - "grit and bear it"

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<div>"The show must go on" is always the vibe.

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<div><br />

</div>

<div>Among those countless aches I've had the most persistent has been in my left shoulder and left hip. ( no matter how much yoga, barre, PT and functional training I put myself through

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<div><br />

</div>

<div>While here in Dominican Republic for a family christening, one spin around the dance floor with my baby cousin did me in.

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<div><br />

</div>

<div>The pain alongside the left side of my body and down my back was enough to seek immediate medical attention.

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<div><br />

</div>

<div>The x rays and imagining revealed a most dangerous and distressing diagnosis.

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<div><br />

</div>

<div>Severe compression and fissures along the cervical and lumbar spine. causing restriction of adequate circulation to the brain impairing cognitive function

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>The doctor said

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<div>one more dance class and can end up in a wheelchair

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<div>one more workout and I can pass out and cause brain damage

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<div>one more head whip and I can end up paralyzed

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<div><br />

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<div>She was shocked I was even standing, given the lack of circulation in my extremities

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<div><br />

</div>

<div>I was immediately put on bed rest with a neck brace and back brace

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<div>and 13 injections to start.

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<div><br />

</div>

<div>And absolutely NO MOVEMENT

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<div><br />

</div>

<div>I need to remain here in the Dominican Republic in order to receive intensive daily treatment/ therapy for a minimum of two to three months with the hopes that my body will respond positively to treatment and I can avoid a more complicating and invasive surgery

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<div><br />

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<div>prevent any further possible damage to my cognitive functions

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<div><br />

</div>

<div>and save my ability to properly move and DANCE AGAIN

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<div><br />

</div>

<div>I was not financially ready for this.

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<div><br />

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<div>I was not emotionally ready for this.

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<div><br />

</div>

<div>But here we are, and I'm surrendering to this lifesaving treatment with the humility and deep gratitude that this was caught in time before I suffered irreparable damage to both my body and brain

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<div><br />

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<div>I am asking for  financial support to cover my medical expenses and living expenses while I am unable to work.

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<div><br />

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<div>If you are in a position to contribute I most humbly thank you for your kindness, support and generosity.

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<div><br />

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<div>With your help, the powers that be, the universe, my ancestors, all the spirit world who has literally been hold me up by some miraculous

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<div>thread, and of course team of doctors here in the Dominican Republic

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<div><br />

</div>

<div>I have faith that I will make a full recovery and I will DANCE AGIAN.

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<div><br />

</div>

<div>my love and deepest gratitude

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<div><br />

</div>

<div>Sonia de Luna

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<div><br />

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<div><br />

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

Wayne Chun

Wayne Chun

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