8-year-old girl denied dance recital due to surgery and halo, studio owner refutes claim
"I wanted my daughter to have that apology because she never deserved that," mom says.
"I wanted my daughter to have that apology because she never deserved that," mom says.
"I wanted my daughter to have that apology because she never deserved that," mom says.
An 8-year-old girl is showing her love and passion for dancing, even after undergoing spinal surgery.
She was supposed to take part in a big recital, but her parents say the dance studio isn’t allowing it.
Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reporter Marcie Cipriani spoke with both sides who are both demanding apologies.
Watch the full story in the video player above.
Lizzie Foster is hurt. She said she has been dancing for five years and that she was looking forward to her recital with her group at KD Dance Studio in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, but she said after a month in the hospital she came back to be pushed aside.
“It was so emotional. Really sad,” Foster said.
Lizzie is temporarily wearing a halo after surgery and a month-long stay in the hospital.
Even while she was in the hospital, she would still dance.
Lizzie’s mom Jennifer Foster said Lizzie’s doctor encouraged her to get back to dance and the owner of KD Dance said she was happy to have her back.
Foster said inside the studio, her daughter was pushed to the side during recital practice and Lizzie said she felt left out and hurt by her instructor.
KD Dance Studio owner Kim Duranti said that was not the case, that Lizzie asked to be on the side and that she has limited mobility right now. Also, there is no waiver from her doctor to participate.
But Duranti said she was not keeping her from performing that day.
Lizzie’s mother said she saw it and heard Duranti say that Lizzie wasn’t taking the stage for the recital she was working toward.
Foster said it broke her heart to see the little girl who loves to dance so hurt.
Duranti denies making Lizzie feel that way or putting her aside during practice. She said she would have allowed her to dance at the recital with proof Lizzie was medically allowed to participate.
But Foster said she heard Duranti tell other parents she would not put Lizzie on stage with the halo.
“I wanted to have an apology, that’s all I wanted and I wanted my daughter to have that apology because she never deserved that,” Foster said.
Duranti said she wants an apology too, from the Fosters.
For now, Lizzie will continue to dance. That’s one thing her mother and her dance teacher agree on.