A lifelong fan of dance and Strictly Come Dancing, 18-year-old Neve can’t remember ever being this excited for a series. With the groundbreaking casting of comedian Chris McCausland, the first contestant with a vision impairment in the show’s history, Neve believes this marks an important cha-cha, twirl, and grand jeté toward a more inclusive future for entertainment.
Growing up with a vision impairment meant life wasn’t always easy, but Neve has tackled every challenge with quiet determination. With support from Guide Dogs since she was eight years old, Neve worked on her movement and orientation skills, which helped when it came to learning to dance.
Neve began dancing when she was just four years old. For Neve, the dance floor has always been a place of freedom. Though she faces unique challenges - like the difficulty of performing turns due to nystagmus, a condition that causes her eyes to shake, she pushes through with the same determination that characterises all aspects of her life. “When I turn, I get dizzy,” she admits, but quickly adds, “I just get on with it. Dance gives me something else to focus on; it’s liberating.”
Despite the raised eyebrows she encounters at competitions - her cane often drawing confused glances from other dancers, Neve never saw herself as different. “People didn’t understand how I could dance and use a cane, but for me, it was normal.” In fact, during her A-Levels, she took on an extra exam in dance, treating it not as an additional burden but as another source of liberation.
Neve has been obsessed with dancing for as long as she can remember, which naturally led her to become obsessed with Strictly Come Dancing.
In 2019, Guide Dog’s orchestrated a meeting between Neve and the famously sharp-tongued judge Craig Revel Horwood, a moment she still treasures. Now, with comedian Chris McCausland breaking boundaries as the show’s first visually impaired contestant, Neve is filled with hope for the future of dance. “It’s incredible,” she beams.
Having someone living with a visual impairment, on a stage I’ve admired for years, makes me believe that anything is possible.
Neve
Dance has become so ingrained in Neve’s life that she often wakes up in the middle of the night with choreography running through her mind, her feet instinctively tapping out steps during lessons. “It consumes you,” she says, “but in the best way possible.”
Her advice for Chris McCausland, as he competes on Strictly? “The technical bits are tough - sometimes your feet don’t do what your head wants - but you’ll crack it. It’s so worth it.”
Neve is currently on a brief hiatus from dancing, as she embarks on her university journey at Lincoln. Starting university is a daunting prospect for anyone, but for Neve, the challenges are multiplied. “It’s not just about the academics,” she explains. “It’s all the little things - recognising faces, knowing if someone’s moved something in the shared kitchen. It’s a lot to think about.”
Upon learning she had been accepted into Lincoln University, Neve immediately reached out to Guide Dogs. We were able to help her with cane training and helping her navigate the streets of a new city, ensuring she felt confident and prepared for the academic year ahead.
Neve is also on the waitlist for a guide dog, a development she eagerly anticipates. “Living in halls will be an adjustment, but knowing I have Guide Dogs on hand makes me feel supported,” she says.
Neve is enjoying watching this series of Strictly at university and can’t wait to see where Chris goes in the competition.
To find out more about how we support people like Neve, visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/getting-support/
