Ashley's Hip Replacement Surgery

Dear friends and community,

 

I hope this message finds you well. My name is Ashley Dixon, a former principal dancer with Northern Ballet and currently rehearsal director for the company. Today, I am reaching out to share a deeply personal matter that has been affecting my life for a long period of time and was the reason I retired as a professional dancer.

 

My hip problems started in my early 20s when I tore a ligament and the labrum in my hip whilst performing on stage. I underwent keyhole surgery at the time and thought nothing of it. For the next 10 years or so I was very fortunate to have a wonderfully enjoyable and successful career with no further issues. However, when the pandemic hit and we weren’t training as intensely, I started to feel pain in my hip again. On return to full training, I was unable to jump off my left leg and couldn’t land comfortably on it either. Upon further investigation, a list of problems revealed themselves which resulted in a 2nd keyhole surgery. Unfortunately, post-surgery my surgeon informed me that my hip was in a far worse condition than anticipated. He suggested that I should consider a career transition as he advised that I would only have a maximum of two further years of dancing on my hip.  

 

Eighteen months later I took my final bow on stage as a principal dancer and took up the position of rehearsal director and Principal Character artist in the company that had given me such a wonderful career. Now two years after retiring, unfortunately the pain has increased to the point that I find myself in constant and debilitating pain, severely impacting my ability to do my job and to live a normal life. After undergoing further medical examinations, it showed that I no longer have any cartilage and have severe arthritis. The only solution to alleviate my pain and restore mobility is a full hip replacement. I was trying to hold off having this surgery for as long as possible due to my age, but the pain is now too severe, and I have no other option. 

 

As I am no longer a full-time dancer with Northern Ballet, the company medical policy does not cover me. However, Northern Ballet have generously agreed to the fund the cost of a hip replacement as I have a dual contract with the company, being both a Principal Character Artist and Rehearsal Director. Having researched current procedures, I have elected to have a more advanced version of the surgery to achieve a faster recovery and improved outcome.

I am seeking additional funding to cover the extra cost of the advanced procedure. As such I am humbly reaching out to you for any support you can offer. Your generosity will make a significant difference to my life, allowing me to undergo the surgery that will not only relieve my pain but also allow me to continue in the profession I love, in a more active and fulfilling capacity.

 

Any contribution, no matter how small, will be deeply appreciated. Your kindness and compassion will not be forgotten, and I am immensely grateful for any support you can provide. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and for considering helping me in any way you can.

 

With gratitude,

Ashley Dixon