On stage
Nicolette Lafonseca
also found a safe
space to show her
scars and reclaim
her own body. “The
first time I got breast
cancer I was 3 2. I
spoke to a burlesque
dancer friend about how I felt de-sexualised
by cancer and she suggested a fun beginners’
course. I was hooked. After my second bout
of cancer, post-op but pre-chemo, I wanted to
make the most of my energy and I performed
with my wonky breast to whoops and cheers.
It made me feel human, like someone who
wasn’t ill. The confidence from burlesque
spilled over to how I carry myself in a room.”In my
wheelchair
Finding a safe space
can be about
challenging how
people see you.
Hollie-Anne Brooks
is a disability rights
campaigner. “Before
I became disabled in June 2018 , I’m not sure
I ever felt comfortable with my body. It was –
is – fat and bumpy with the odd hair on my
neck and scars from self-harming as a
teenager on my left arm. But losing my ability
to walk, fighting sepsis once and meningitis
twice, has shown me that my body serves
more purpose than to be judged by society.
I feel most comfortable now, aged 3 0 , when
I’m on my way to a meeting or out for dinner
with my boyfriend; form-fitting dress, high
heels and in my wheelchair. Defying people’s
expectations of what a disabled woman
should look like is sexy and empowering.”On ice
Jo Hauge is a queer
non-binary artist
from Norway. Their
latest project,
‘Dyspraxia on Ice’
came from their love
of figure skating and
a desire to find a safe
space to be included. “I’ve always loved
watching it in the Olympics, even as a child
I found all the other sports so serious, but
skating was all sparkles! So then I started
actually doing it. It made me think about the
resistance to do physical stuff, feeling that
something as beautiful as figure skating just
wasn’t accessible, was for one body type.
“As a kid, I thought it felt like a really
queer sport but actually it has fewer out
gay people than rugby. Same sex couples
can’t skate together. My work is not just
about rebelling against that but also
about being dyspraxic, putting this
slightly floundering body in
this space. I wanted to
portray not just a dyspraxic
person doing a thing badly,
but to change the rules
entirely, so you’re allowed
to be different. I feel so safe
performing; like I’m not
there to be desirable,
it’s my own choice
for you to be looking
at my body.”“My body serves
more purpose than
to be judged”
Photog
raphy^ Noe^ Warr
enwellness
50 CalmMoment.com