Kitty Lunn
|
I grew up in New Orleans. At age 12 I watched my neighbors throw rocks from their front porches at black children as police escorted them to school during desegregation. Our housekeeper Corrine, descended from a slave, was one of the wisest people I have ever known. I asked for her thoughts about the rock throwing. She said, “Folks gotta know their place, go out and take their place.” I never forgot her words.
Fast forward a few years, I’m at the Washington Ballet School. I was only 5’4”. Mr. Balanchine wanted you to be 6’tall on point! I asked the great Agnes de Mille, who was an Artist-in-Residence, if she thought I should get a bone transplant in my legs. My face in her hands, she said, “Kitty, dear, you have to learn to dance in the body you have.” Christmas Eve 1986, I was working at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Mother Theresa was going to be there for Midnight Mass! That night, all involved had a late night supper together. While eating Mother Theresa came up to me, this tiny, wizened, weather worn person with the most piercing blue eyes I had ever seen! She looked at me and said very calmly, “My dear, I do not think you are leading the life you were born to live”! Well, I nearly fainted! Three weeks later I slipped on ice, fell down the stairs and broke my back! My life changed in an instant. Ironically, I had just met the most wonderful man. I was on my way to my 2nd dinner date with him the night I fell. The next thing I knew he was at my bedside. I was in the hospital for nearly three years, and we were married six months after I got out. I was unable to walk but still deep inside wanting to dance. It wasn’t until my husband asked what was stopping me that I realized it was only fear - that’s when I decided I WAS going to dance again. My physical therapists helped me prepare , we set a target date, they had to let me in, the ADA said so. I took my place at the barre…yes, people stared at me…yes, it was awkward…but once the music began to play…I knew I was home…I would be ok. What happened to me was an accident…this is a choice. I had to learn to know my place, and go out and take my place, so I could learn to dance in the body I have, in order to lead the life I was born to live. I had an accident…but I choose to live…I choose to dance! |
Paula Vasone
Brazilian born and raised with a background in Advertising and Production, Paula Vasone seeks to experience an adventure with each new click of the camera. Currently living in NY finishing her studies and interning with different photographers, Paula’s passions lie in time lapse, stop motion, portraits and visual storytelling, as well as traveling and being a foodie.
Visit Paula at www.paulavasone.com
Brazilian born and raised with a background in Advertising and Production, Paula Vasone seeks to experience an adventure with each new click of the camera. Currently living in NY finishing her studies and interning with different photographers, Paula’s passions lie in time lapse, stop motion, portraits and visual storytelling, as well as traveling and being a foodie.
Visit Paula at www.paulavasone.com