The following is a message from my guestbook that an anonymous dancer left me one day that I think all dancers who are struggling should read. I hope you all draw the same inspiration from it that I have!!

"hey, i was just reading of your troubles with flat feet, and that u blame them on your inability to get on your toes etc. ok, well i have some inspiration for you. both of my sisters are irish dancers, and they both have flat feet. the eldest has beautiful rythm, and the flat feet were never even an issue, except that her arches hurt a little. my younger sister has flat feet, and has been wearing insoles in her shoes since she was 11, and also has an extra bone growth in both ankle regions, which only 2% of people have. she has been australian champion three times, and runner up five times. i dont have flat feet, but i do have another bone malformation which is the result of an injury. i too though have been australian champion. there was once a girl who broke her leg or foot or something at the national championship, but she kept on dancing despite the pain because she was so determined to win. she did win, but she wasnt there at the presentations, as she was in the hospital. so cheer up, work damn hard, watch yourself in a mirror and pretend you are an independent spectator watching a dancer, and above all, visualise doing it brilliantly. you cant do it with your feet if u cant do it with your head."