Abbi's stepping out to a brighter future; Little battler is dance floor star.

Byline: By KAREN FAUGHEY

A BRAVE little girl who fought off cancer is now taking centre stage thanks to the success of her local dance school.

Abbi Steedman, from Marton, Middlesbrough, had to have an eye removed after she was diagnosed with rare eye cancer retinoblastoma just before her third birthday.

But the plucky seven-year-old, who also has autism, refuses to be treated any differently, and is thoroughly enjoying her dance lessons at SB Dance.

Dance teacher Sarah Beeforth only set up the school in the summer of 2007, but the group has already celebrated enrolling its 100th pupil.

And Abbi's mum Karen Steedman, 35, can see the huge benefits that dancing is having on her daughter.

Karen, who is a full-time carer for Abbi, said: "She has weak muscles, but I think the ballet is strengthening them all the time. She's absolutely shattered when it's finished, but it's definitely bringing her on.

"She still can't do a lot of things that the other children do, but she's definitely getting stronger every day. She's autistic as well, so sometimes she can be quite confident and other days she goes into her own little world.

"But after all she's been through, it's great to see her having the confidence to get up on stage with all her friends. They're such a good group of girls.

They all look after her and help her along."

Abbi, who attends The Avenue Primary School in Nunthorpe, has been dancing for nearly two years, and she most enjoys modern dancing, which she likes to practise at home.

"She loves her dancing," said Karen. "Life is a struggle for Abbi, and she's at that age where you're always trying to be like the other kids.

Nobody ever tells her she's doing the steps wrong.

She just gets up and dances.

"She had all of the parents in tears at the last concert."

Abbi still has regular check-ups at Newcastle RVI and she also goes to the special needs unit at the James Cook University Hospital.

She has a range of special needs including delayed development, central hypertonia, which affects her muscles, and a chest problem.

Dance teacher Sarah, 22, from Great Ayton, said: "When Abbi first came, if she was kneeling on the floor, she couldn't stand up withoupushing on her hands. But she has lots of friends here and she's really accepted."

For more information about SB Dance, which is based at Andrew's United Reformed Church in Marton, call Sarah on 07894 120341 or visit www.sbdance.co.uk.

CAPTION(S):

LOVES TO DANCE: Abbi Steedman with mum Karen and teachers Sarah and Grace Beeforth from SB Dance, which now has over 100 pupils, right. Abbi with Karen in 2004, above left, after her eye op Pictures by IAN COOPER