Fit young woman whose life was torn apart by a shock diagnosis reveals how professional pole dancing is helping her overcome the crippling disease
- Pole dancer Caroline Hanson contracts MS
- Refuses to let her condition stop her from participating
A young woman braved a devastating diagnosis to pursue her career as a professional pole dancer — she even recently competed in a national showcase.
Sydneysider Caroline Hanson was devastated when she learned she had Multiple Sclerosis in October 2017, but refused to let her love of the niche sport end.
“It gives me so much joy, the challenge, the athleticism, the fact that I get to do my workout,” she told The Project on Sunday night, insisting her doctors were all for it.
‘They are encouraging. They say if it feels right, go for it,” she said.
Ms Hanson was training for Miss Pole Dance Australia in October 2017 when the first seemingly harmless sign of the autoimmune disease emerged.
Professional pole dancer Caroline Hanson was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis five years ago
“It started with a blurry spot in my eye and within 24/48 hours I lost 95 percent of my sight in my left eye,” she said.
“By the time I got to the triage desk, they were like ‘oh we see you’re here to be treated for MS’ and I’m having a massive emergency breakdown.”
“It was the words I didn’t want to hear.
“It’s like grieving. It was like I had lost my whole life.’
Ms. Hason was in the hospital for three weeks and after returning home she decided not to give in to the illness.
“I really didn’t know what I would be capable of until I started moving and training,” she told SBS in 2019.
“It was the motivation of having something for me to work towards that really pushed me to get back to a level where I felt like I was at that professional level.”
“I could wake up tomorrow and have a relapse, so I just have to move every day.” I can’t wait for tomorrow because I just don’t know what’s going to happen.’
Ms Hanson, who took part in the Pole Icon competition at Sydney’s Luna Park on Friday, admitted the effort was taking its toll.
“I’m exhausted all the time,” she said.
“People often see the highlights of my life, but they don’t understand what goes on behind the scenes.”
Multiple sclerosis causes the immune system to mistakenly attack the protective layer of the brain and spine, slowly shutting down the body’s communication systems.
Over time, the nervous system begins to break down. This causes a person to slowly lose motor function throughout their body.
Many patients become partially or completely paralyzed after battling the disease for years.
Ms. Hanson says she will keep pole dancing as long as she can and that teaching her art is also very fulfilling.
Ms Hanson spent three weeks in hospital after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2017
Despite her illness, Ms. Hanson has refused to give up pole dancing and recently took part in a national showcase
“I love seeing all the women come in here and completely transform and come out of their shells and be happy and confident,” said Ms. Hanson.
“It doesn’t matter what your age or height or anything like that, she makes you feel good, everything is fine.”
She had a message of hope for those who shared her plight.
“To all the MS warriors out there, you are amazing,” she said.
“Don’t give up on your dreams. It’s not the end, it’s the beginning.
“So follow your dreams, keep being great.”