I use a wheelchair but I still love my pole dancing

Rhona Jane Ferguson battles action myoclonus-renal failure (AMRF) which is a genetic syndrome that affects the brain.

The very rare and progressive condition causes involuntary muscle jerks meaning she struggles with mobility and her speech.

However the 35-year-old refuses to let it get in the way of her passion for dancing and performing.

She credits pole dancing for maintaining strength in her arms and tackling stigmas against both having a disability and the art of pole dancing.

Rhona, who lives in Dalmarnock, told the Glasgow Times: “There are stigmas against disabled people and stigmas around pole dancing, but I like showing that having a disability does not mean you can no longer be sexy.

“It is a really difficult industry to thrive in, but for me it is mostly about keeping up a certain level of fitness in a fun and inclusive way.

“I focus on floor work and use the bottom third of the pole for my routines, it helps maintain strength in my arms which is good for my daily life.”

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Rhona has been pole dancing for 12 years (Image: Gordon Terris)

Rhona first became ill around 2016 but doctors thought it was severe anxiety at first.

However after her condition deteriorated, further tests revealed her AMRF which she was diagnosed with in 2018.

AMRF is rapidly progressive, with most patients surviving seven to 15 years after symptoms appear. The disease worsens with anxiety, stress, and fatigue.

Rhona hopes to make it to her 40th birthday which will mean she has beaten the odds of the conditions life expectancy, and is focusing on taking things one day at a time.

Pole dancer Rhona focuses on floor work (Image: Gordon Terris)

While adapting to her new life she has been determined to keep her passions alive, after being a ballet dancer for 10 years and doing pole dancing for 12 years.

She credits inclusive organisations that give her a platform to perform on stage still, like Glasgow’s Clique group.

The social enterprise champions creatives who are looking to showcase their talent within an inclusive community.

Rhona uses the lower third of the pole for her routine (Image: Gordon Terris)

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Rhona explained: “I was a ballerina, then I skied, I love to swim, and I have been doing pole dancing for years so I have always been active.

“My condition makes it a struggle to be positive all the time, but being around other creative people who never make you feel like a burden is really helpful. It lets me stay active.

“I go to Pole Physique and they take really good care of me, they have been really adaptive to my circumstances.

“Places like Clique are great as well because they make such inclusive spaces, it lets me enjoy my performative streak.”

A spokesperson for Clique said: “We want to make sure that everyone, regardless of their background, has the chance to thrive in the creative industry.

“Our incredibly talented creative community is so diverse, and yet the majority of fashion spaces were incredibly intimidating at best and completely inaccessible at worst.

“We design our events to be inclusive, diverse and vibrant spaces that lift other creatives up.

“We have a vibrant community that has each other's backs and provides unwavering support - it’s our responsibility to provide a platform to showcase their talent.”