Breaking Barriers: Kaylee Bays’ Triumph for Disability Represen…

A dark-blue dance floor with gold confetti strewn about, reflecting light in the colors of mostly red and some blue.

In the realm of performing arts, individuals with disabilities often encounter barriers to showcasing their talents. Kaylee Bays, a dancer hailing from Los Angeles who performs on wheels, etched her name in history as the first wheelchair user on So You Think You Can Dance. Her poignant and deeply passionate jazz solo, set to Pink’s “Never Not Gonna Not Dance Again,” embodied Bays’ journey as a disabled dancer. The song serves as a potential anthem for disabled dancers, Highlighting that disabled dancers can still enjoy their passion, even after diagnosis or as their disability progresses, by adapting moves to what is accessible to them. At three, Bays embarked on her dance journey and pursued a professional career until her diagnosis intervened.

At 21, she received a life-altering diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a connective tissue disorder, after enduring years of unexplained pain. This syndrome causes joint dislocations, stretchy and fragile skin, and hypermobility. She was informed that she had to stop dancing, a prospect that left her heartbroken. However, Bays was determined and taught herself to dance from her wheelchair. On the show, she candidly shared her feelings of isolation and expressed a desire for a fearless role model when she first became disabled. Now, she fulfills that role for her community.

Performing her solo from her chair, she demonstrated moments of dancing on her feet, representing ambulatory wheelchair users who are often misunderstood due to misconceptions that being in a wheelchair means one cannot be ambulatory. In addition to her Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Bays has been open on social media about her struggles with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), which makes standing for long periods difficult and underscores the importance of conserving energy. During a moment with host Cat Deeley, she likened managing her energy to managing a bank account. Many disabled people experience fatigue more quickly, so learning to conserve energy for specific activities and movements is crucial. This is particularly important for disabled dancers. In Bays’ dance, she consciously decides when to dance on her feet and when to dance from her wheelchair. Her dance is a perfect example of energy conservation, as she saves energy for the significant moments in the performance.

The judges were deeply moved by her performance, which earned her a spot in the next round with a resounding yes from all three judges. This wasn’t just a personal victory for Bays but a significant achievement for the disability community, reshaping societal perspectives on dance and disability. Additionally, it raised awareness about Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. It served as a powerful representation of inclusivity on mainstream reality TV, reminding us that everyone deserves to see themselves reflected in the media. Bays became the first wheelchair user to be featured on So You Think You Can Dance, underscoring that dance transcends mere foot movement and that wheelchairs are not constraints but instruments of empowerment.