health advocacy for mental & physical wellbeing
My young adult life has proven to be a bit more difficult than I had expected. I have been plagued with chronic pain that has come with my delayed diagnoses of hip dysplasia, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and OCD. I have also recently lost my father to a terrible brain cancer. Here, I document my journey through life challenges while doing my best to focus on the gifts I have been given: dancing, creativity, art, friends, family and most importantly love. Thank you for joining me!
never give up the blog
features on outside blogs
Nicole's Story: Dancing my way through pain
Posted on October 18, 2018 by Nicole Zizzi | Patient Stories
Tags: hip dysplasia, hip preservation, labral tear, orthopedics, pao surgery, performing artist athletes, sports medicine
PeriAcetabular Osteotomy = Persevere And Overcome
August 23, 2018 | Nicole Zizzi
Nicole and Alana: A friendship formed in dance
Posted on September 11, 2019 by Nicole Zizzi and Alana Rochford | Patient Stories
Tags: hip dysplasia, hip preservation, labral tear, orthopedics, pao surgery, performing artist athletes, sports medicine
I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for the community of support that I've built for myself. This includes my friends, my family, my incredible care and support team at both Boston Children's Hospital and Girl Fit Physical Therapy, and the Boston dance community. To everyone who has joined and supported me through this journey, I can't thank you enough. I am constantly reminded to never give up.
follow me on my continued journey and join the conversation
Check out more of my story as a volunteer storyteller with the national non-profit: This is My Brave.
community building & mental health advocay through dance
At the end of 2019, on the eve of the pandemic, Evolve Dynamicz produced LUCIDITY, a full evening length work of vignettes exploring the topic of mental health. Evolve Dynamicz told their stories of mental health through dance and choreography and were joined by performers of This is My Brave who also shared their experiences through verbal storytelling. The evening ended with a discussion, led by Nicole Harris of MonkeyHouse Dance, between performers and audience members with input from a panel of mental health professionals. The compassion in the theater was especially palpable.