A cancer-stricken teen took to the stage to dance one last time before amputation.
Watch the teen dancing one last time before amputation
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18-year-old Austin Hewitt, from Greentown, Indiana, was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma in 2016 that was growing in his big toe. He was forced to have his toe amputated.
But, he was devastated when he learned a year later that another tumor was growing in his ankle and his left leg below the knee was needed to be removed.
Before the amputation, Austin, a member of Eastern Howard School Corporation’s show choir, took to the stage one last time during its fall performance.
Austin said: “It was bittersweet because I knew it would be a while until I was back on stage again. It was one last time before this huge change. Going on stage and waiting for the curtains to open was thrilling and I just focused on soaking everything in.”
Austin has been performing since he was a fourth-grader and felt sad because he wouldn’t be able to do it again.
He said: “When I first got my diagnosis I was worried about my performing career. I didn’t take any time off I school and I tried to make every practice I could.”
“Even though I was sick, I didn’t want to stop and I only missed two performances the whole year. I was determined to keep dancing. I was determined not to let it affect my life.”
“Five days before I was to celebrate my remission anniversary I was re-diagnosed. Cancer had come back in my ankle. Amputation came up instantly this time.”
He had his left leg amputated below the knee at Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis.
Despite this, Austin hasn’t given up on life and hopes to dance once again after getting a prosthetic leg.
Austin said: “There’s been so much advancement in terms of prosthetics and I know I can still pursue my passion. There’s so much evidence that you can still have an active life after an amputation. I think an amputee even won Dancing with the Stars.”
He says it was a tough decision for him but he knows this is the best decision for him. He is positive about it and believes this will not stop him from achieving his goals.
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