Practical Photography

Robyn DeKeyser was diagnosed at with the painful disease Cystic Fibrosis but showing inspired determination by becoming a ballet dancer and her story is now being published by photo-journalism magazine, Life Images.

At only 3 weeks old Robyn was given only a few years to live due to being diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. Robyn has only 32% lung capacity, has a g-tube,  and takes an average of 22 pills per day. All this means she prone to regular infections and it is dangerous for her to play outside. Robyns mother was desperate for her daughter not to miss out on a life and enrolled her in Ballet lessons that would not over exhert her lungs too soon and kept her safe indoors. This also enabled Robyn to have a social life and meet friend her own age.

Robyns passion for Dancing grew and her health improved with the excercise, although she still had daily routine and would never be as healthy as the others her talent and passion shone through and she was enrolled in the Southern Ballet Theatre.

During her 20’s Robyn had to take time out as she was on the list for a lung transplant but she now dances and teaches and has devoted her life to the art.

This extraordinary story has been picked up by photography magazine ‘Life Images’ and they have covered her story and tried to capture her elegance which the photographer described as;

To watch her dance is like watching poetry in motion, With dance and music, she is able to transport herself out of her pain and fear and for a few short minutes live in another world being Aurora, Clara or Coppelia. She knows how priceless life is and never takes it for granted - These pictures of her show her fierce passion, frailty and strength.’