A young teenager overcomes a deadly attack of the effects of the disease lupus to follow through with her dreams.
By Michelle Logsdon/The Malibu Times
The Malibu Ballet and Performing Arts Society has been reaching out to needy children for 27 years, and recently that generosity may have helped a young girl survive an almost deadly attack of systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus).
At the age of 11, Bethany Myles was diagnosed with lupus, a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes the body to attack its own joints, tissue and organs. No one knows what causes lupus and there is no cure.
Several months before Bethany, now 17, was scheduled to dance with the Malibu Civic Ballet, in which she was offered a part in “The Nutcracker” through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the lupus began to attack her heart and kidneys. When Bethany’s mother got her to the emergency room at Northridge Hospital, doctors told her one of Bethany’s kidneys was no longer functioning and the other was only working at 30 percent.
Bethany started a routine of kidney dialysis that became increasingly time-consuming. At the time of “The Nutcracker” performance, she was on dialysis 10 hours a day. Her doctors did not want her to dance in the show.
But Bethany checked herself out of the hospital and checked into a donated suite at the Casa Del Mar hotel in Santa Monica where she stayed in between performances and housed her dialysis machine for nightly procedures.
“I’ve always believed that dance and art are physically healing,” said Laura Behr, executive director of the Malibu Ballet and Performing Arts Society’s education and outreach programs. “The doctors expected Beth to get worse from the stress of performing, yet the experience had a tremendously positive effect on her health.”
The society’s outreach program exposes children to dance through scholarships, special performances and on-site classes at hospitals, public schools and state-run children’s homes throughout Malibu, Santa Monica, Los Angeles and Ventura. A key player in the society, Artistic Director Joanna Jarvis, provides rehearsal space for the organization at her Ballet by the Sea dance studio in Malibu.
Last year, the society contacted the Make-A-Wish Foundation and offered a part in the Malibu Civic Ballet’s winter performance of “The Nutcracker” to a child in the organization. The foundation decided to add the opportunity as an enhancement to a child’s wish. Since Bethany had just completed her wish to dance with singer Janet Jackson, the foundation chose her to receive the ballet enhancement.
“She was so honored to be given an opportunity to dance with a ballet company of that level and ability,” said Karen Gaithers, Bethany’s mother.
From ballet to stepping to cheerleading, Bethany has always loved to dance.
“Dancing lets me escape from my problems and stress. I forget everything when I perform,” Bethany said.
Bethany has since danced with the ballet in their spring production and her health has improved so much she is attending classes regularly at College of the Canyons and she is preparing for a kidney transplant.
Bethany’s fraternal twin brother was willing to give her one of his kidneys but it turned out her estranged biological father was a better match.
“It was her illness that brought our families together again,” Gaithers said.
Another lifelong bond was formed between Bethany and the other dancers at the Malibu Civic Ballet.
“They were so wonderful to me; they really embraced me,” said Bethany. “When I’ve gone back there the love has been overwhelming.”
The society’s public relations officer, Denise Degarmo-Ritchie, said the experience opened the hearts and minds of the Malibu children and gave them a chance to share their passion of dance.
“This program allows us to take the best of what Malibu has to offer-our kids-and share them with the rest of the world.”
Of the struggles Bethany faces with lupus, her mother said, “This is really a devastating disease, but you grow into it and learn to live with it graciously. We thank God for all of the time we spend together.”
While Bethany prepares for the next big step in her life, her kidney transplant, she has a message for all young people: “Dreams are there for a reason. Let your dream become a part of you and do all you can to make your dreams come true.”
On Oct. 20, the Malibu Ballet and Performing Arts Society will honor Bethany Myles at a fundraising event at The Canyon Club in Agoura Hills.
For more information on the society call 323.654.9044.