See original article: Lemondrop.com
Super Woman -- Kiera Brinkley, Quadruple Amputee Dancer
Dancing is one activity Kiera Brinkley "shouldn't" be able to do.
In a wheelchair since a quadruple amputation at age 2, the 16-year-old has nonetheless stricken the word "disability" from her vocabulary to pursue a dance career. Recently she proved just how able she is by performing at Juilliard, the prestigious New York City arts school.
Why We Love Her: As a toddler, Brinkley, of Portland, Ore., contracted an infection called pneumococcosis and lost her arms and legs. That didn't stop her from learning to love to dance, especially to R&B music. While she's worked with coaches, she usually choreographs her own routines, which include some pretty intense acrobatic moves.
Brinkley became involved in the Dream Factory, a nonprofit organization in Oregon that helps sick children live their dreams. The organization helped coordinate her week-long stay at Juilliard, where Brinkley sat in on classes and performed for students. She also taught her routine to students there, said Tricia Batchler, the student volunteer at the Dream Factory who worked with Brinkley.
"I am in a wheelchair, but it's not stopping me," Kiera told a reporter.
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