A Dancer with Backbone

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

Jacqueline Santiago found out she had scoliosis in sixth grade. Three years later, she had surgery to correct the curves in her spine. At 16, she has overcome her limitations and is pursuing her passion for dance.

Recently, Jacqueline Santiago, 16, mastered the splits. It’s a common goal for dancers, but one her instructor, Wendi Salvagio, was hesitant to let her attempt.

Santiago was diagnosed with scoliosis when she was 11. Two years later, while getting ready for her eighth-grade formal, Santiago realized that she was not standing up straight.

Upon visiting a specialist at Nemours Children’s Hospital, in Jacksonville, she was told that the two curves in Santiago’s spine had progressed from 28 degrees to 49 degrees and 51 degrees.

It was time for surgery.

Two stainless steel rods were screwed into either side of Santiago’s spine to prevent further curvature.

Although the surgery created obstacles in Santiago’s life, she wasn’t going to let it stop her from perusing her passion of dancing.

“People look at it as a disability, but I call it a limitation,” Santiago said. “I really want to be an inspiration to people younger than me. I want to show them that even though I have been through this, I don’t stop — I push myself to the limit.”

Santiago pushes the limit at her studio, Atlantic Vibe Performance Academy. The sprung floors there allow Santiago to continue dancing, without putting additional strain on her skeleton.

A foam block supports the sprung floor, and a cable runs underneath it and pulls it together like a drum, explained Salvagio, artistic director and owner of the Atlantic Vibe. This creates a lot of give and handles impact better than hardwood floors.

Salvagio said that, for Santiago, it helps alleviate any additional trauma.

Although the rods fixed to her spine act as a limitation for Santiago in several ways, they are also a strength, creating wonderful posture, which allows her to perform pirouettes with more ease.

“It’s been rewarding to watch her excel and overcome some of the smaller things, like the splits,” Salvagio said.