When doctors warned that she might struggle to walk, Alexis Dresse made a different choice – she would dance.

Now 17, the determined Grade 10 learner from Alberton High School is preparing for the opportunity of a lifetime, performing in the world-famous Walt Disney World parade in Orlando this December.

But to get there, she needs her community’s support.

Diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) at just four years old, Alexis has spent most of her life managing chronic pain and inflammation in her knees and hip.

What began as unexplained swelling quickly turned into a life-altering diagnosis, followed by years of treatment, hospital visits, and weekly injections.

Yet even in those early days, her resolve was unmistakable.

“The first week I was in the hospital, I had a dance competition,” Alexis recalls. “I told my mom, ‘We’re going and we did.”

From that moment on, she refused to let her condition define her limits. Today, Alexis trains across multiple dance styles, including hip-hop, jazz, lyrical, modern, and belly dancing through her work with Ambitions Dance Studio and her church-based group. Despite ongoing physical strain, she continues to rehearse, compete and perform with unwavering passion.

Her breakthrough came earlier this year at a Dancing for a Cause event, where a talent scout spotted her potential.

After auditioning with both jazz and hip-hop routines, Alexis received the news she had been dreaming of: she had been selected to perform at Disney World.

“It’s always been my dream to go overseas and dance with other performers,” she shared. “When I got the opportunity, I knew I had to take it.”

The journey, however, comes with a high cost. Alexis and her mother need to raise approximately R250 000 to cover flights, accommodation, visas, and performance expenses for the December trip. They must be fully paid up by August.

To help make this dream a reality, the family has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, alongside local fundraising initiatives- including a paddle tournament scheduled for Friday, May 1 and upcoming charity dance events.

Her mother describes Alexis as a ‘firecracker’ whose determination has never wavered, even during the most difficult moments.

“She’s had procedures, biopsies, and treatments that would stop most people. But nothing has ever kept her off that stage,” said her mother, Nadene Dresse.

Alexis herself hopes her journey will inspire others facing challenges of their own. “Even if you’re scared or going through something, just go out there and do your best,” she highlighted. “You need to push through.”

As the countdown to December begins, Alexis is focused not only on reaching the stage but on proving a powerful point – that resilience, passion, and heart can outshine even the toughest obstacles.

Community members who wish to support Alexis can contribute to her campaign online at https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/get-alexis-to-disneyworld or attend upcoming fundraising events. For more information, contact 082 965 8777.