Finally dancing to her own beat
Posted: Thursday, October 30, 2008 12:24 PM by Rina Raphael
Filed Under:
Live from Studio 1A, Kathie Lee
In TODAY’s "Everyone Has a Story" this week, we met Dora, a woman who grew up in an unstable, abusive home where her own father told her she would never amount to anything. She escaped to the only place where she felt free and proud – school – where she indulged in the arts. "When I would sing and dance and act, everything lifted," she said.
As an adult, she pursued her talents, but abandoned her dreams after dealing with a manager who stole her earnings and tried to molest her. The following years included more heartbreak: losing both her parents, marrying a man who left her in debt, working odd jobs to keep up with bills, and then ultimately becoming homeless. But throughout all her hardships, she tried to hold onto her love of dance – the one refuge that provided her with self-esteem.
Years later, a chance encounter with a "little angel" in a department store changed Dora’s outlook and motivated her to reclaim her life. "Everything I dreamed I knew was still with me, and I knew could do it and nothing would stop me," she said. "I had to stand up and do it and it helped that I had angels." WATCH VIDEO
Read Dora’s inspiring essay:
May I backtrack a trifle? Say 45 years.
I grew up in an unstable, abusive home. My older brother always struggled, alienated and angry, disappeared from our lives.
My saving grace was my ability to sing. School was my haven. Teachers were loving, nurturing, not knowing the extent of the beatings and ridicule. Told I was homely, clumsy, stupid. Daddy said that I was nothing, would always be nothing. Daddies were never wrong, right?
I was a frightened, nervous child. But when I performed I was joyous and free. I was thrilled to see how people responded to me.
I grew up, followed my dream. Left home. Found a manager who got me work. His family became my family. I finally belonged. My manager tried to molest me, and stole my earnings. I ran from his clutches into the arms of a man who professed to love me. I went into debt helping him sustain his acting studio. He left me for a woman with serious money.
Homeless for a time, living with friends, working odd jobs.
I toured Australia, the Caribbean, Canada, did T.V., voiceovers, recordings. In L.A. I was considered for a sitcom. My dad suddenly died, I dropped everything, flew back East to care for my invalid mom. At one point my dad knocked her down and shattered her hip. She was fragile and alone. She passed 3 years later.
Fast forward! Show me a child and I'm in heaven! I never married, all my friends' children are mine!
Through Actors' Equity, I got a part-time job as a Customer Guide at Bloomingdale's. During my break, I noticed this sweet, friendly, little girl dancing around in front of me trying to grab my attention, doing ballet gran jetés. I asked if she knew all the positions, said I loved to dance and demonstrated a "toe thingie" myself! Her name was Sydney and she happily showed me what she could do. I said "You are wonderful. Someday you'll be a ballerina!" She answered loud and proud without skipping a beat: "I am a ballerina!"
I have always trusted in spiritual intervention, believed in angels -- there she was! This little girl named Sydney speaking to my little girl... me. Dora. The little 4 year-old Dora with limitless potential who could not be crushed or made to feel worthless and hopeless.
