The dance teacher with Down's syndrome


Becoming a professional dancer was always 22-year-old Hannah Sampson's dream. Having Down's syndrome, though, she imagined there would be too many barriers in the way.

After her mum heard about a dance group for disabled and non-disabled dancers, Hannah, who was still at school at the time, went along to try it out.

"She immediately threw herself into it, and her talent was apparent from the start" says Siobhan Hayes, Hannah's teacher.

As she progressed, Hannah not only became a full-time member of Stopgap Dance Company, but also started to teach classes. She is one of only a handful of dance teachers in the UK who have a learning disability.

 

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