WATCH: Highland teenager with rare brain condition set to host an empowerment workshop for women as she takes on Strictly Inverness
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A young entrepreneur with a rare lifelong brain condition is set to host an empowerment workshop for women as she is pushing herself to take on Strictly Inverness in tribute to her late grandfather.
Kaitlyn Heggie (18) – whose mum runs Cheryl Heggie School of Dance which specialises in Highland dancing – was diagnosed with narcolepsy with cataplexy two years ago.
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She said: "I was born with it, but wasn't diagnosed until I was 16, however usually people aren't diagnosed until their 20s due to a hormone imbalance.
"I started having attacks when I was 13 and I would fall to the ground, unable to move my body.
"I went through loads of testing for three years until I got an official diagnosis, but the doctors had never seen it in someone so young.
"Getting diagnosed lifted a weight off my shoulders as it gave me the clarification I needed and knowing that there is something there, but it's not going to kill me."
Since her diagnosis, Kaitlyn's has been debilitated by numerous uncontrollable symptoms.
At the age of 17 Kaitlyn was eager to start driving, however after just two lessons she received a letter informing her that it would be impossible with her condition.
She said: "It was devastating learning that I wouldn't be able to drive.
"My condition has really affected my independence.
"There have been times where I've passed out and I can't really breathe properly as I had fallen on my side, so someone has to be there."
After tackling her diagnosis for two years now, Kaitlyn is constantly learning ways to control her condition and take back the independence she feared of losing.
She said: "I was definitely quite nervous in the beginning as I just wanted to know why it happened to me."
Kaitlyn is now on two types of medication to alleviate her symptoms and allow her to live a fulfilled day-to-day life.
She said: "The medication helps with my sleepiness and also with my passing out, so I'm not dropping to the floor every two minutes."
While she has learnt to overcome the many physical challenges that impact her on the daily, Kaitlyn also endured significant mental strain after her diagnosis.
She said: "It definitely took away a lot of my confidence. Before my diagnosis at 16, I made the decision to leave school as I was really embarrassed if someone saw me have an attack.
"It was something that was really hidden and I didn't like telling people.
"I spent a year not really going out and hiding away, but after my diagnosis and once I was put on the right medication I started getting into the gym which changed my whole life."
Kaitlyn now utilises the gym as her 'mental clarity' and escapism.
She said: "Without the gym I wouldn't be able to keep sane and it has definitely boosted my confidence in ways I couldn't even imagine."
Now Kaitlyn is taking part in Strictly Inverness- the annual dance contest in aid of organisers and hosts Highland Hospice and Inverness Ice Centre – to push herself and to honour her grandad's memory.
“I used to dance in Strictly in the opening ceremony as a Highland dancer when I was younger from 2016-2019,” Kaitlyn said. “I’ve always wanted to be part of the main show, I’ve just never been old enough!
“My grandad, Alexander Heggie, died in the hospice before I got to meet him, so I am doing this in memory of my family."
Alongside her dance partner, Emma (34), of Muir of Ord, they are learning a salsa and musical theatre number, as well as a group dance ahead of the contest in May. They are among the contest's first same-sex dance partnerships.
While they are learning their own dances, as well as a team dance with seven other couples who are performing on the Friday evening of the annual dance contest, they are fundraising.
The pair have organised an empowered living workshop set to take place at Balloch Village Hall, Inverness from 12pm-4pm, and tickets cost £45 per person.
