Written by Akshara Koneru
Edited by Anirudh Koneru
Published on 11/22/2020
When people think of dance, they most often imagine a person with agility, poise, and grace. When they think of tennis, the image that comes to mind is one of dexterity, endurance, and skill. Sofie Cox is all of these things and more, but when many people see her perform they are surprised. As a wheelchair dancer and tennis player, Sofie shows the world that physical disabilities are not a limit to talent. Born and raised in Belgium, she not only competes in both sports internationally but has also become an occupational therapist after graduating in 2018, when she received the X-factor award from her college. Her full focus was on sports post-graduation, and her hard work is evident in her many performances.
Living with Spina Bifida
Sofie is diagnosed with spina bifida (open spine, level 4/5) and has been living with her condition since birth (to learn more about spina bifida, click HERE). She is able to walk even with paralyzed feet with the use of special shoes, since her knees have mobility. However, even as she is able to walk with the correct aid, Sofie uses a wheelchair when traveling outside because she is able to do this independently and without assistance. Her parents were unaware that she had spina bifida until she was born, when they performed surgery to close her back and placed a shunt in her head to remove fluid. Her parents and loved ones, undeterred by the condition she was diagnosed with, adapted to it and supported her.
After living her whole life with spina bifida, Sofie has learned that most people take being able to live independently for granted. She has trouble having access to buildings, and also experiences difficulty when dealing with trains and buses. And although she has not had any trouble with health care, she advocates for inclusiveness to all people, whether they are non-disabled or not.
The Role Sports Play in Her Life
Sofie is passionate about both dance and tennis, and has always had big dreams for her career in sports. While many people think that wheelchair sports are low-level because of the fact that they are less known, they are equally competitive to non-disabled sports and have many talented athletes like Sofie. She has always wanted to travel the world, and she found a way to do so by playing international sports.
She started dancing at the age of 9 and competed in duos recreationally, but started focusing on competitions at a professional level when she was 15. Since then, she has become a multiple time Belgium and BeNeLux champion, won the bronze medal in European Championships, performed on Dancing With the Stars (Netherlands), was 5th in World Championships in 2017, and is a vice-European champion. She is now a solo performer and has big plans for her future in dance.
She started playing tennis at the same age she started dance, and was selected for a talent youth group when she was 16. She is currently a member of a professional team and is a multiple time Belgian Champion, is 2nd in women’s rankings in Belgium, and is in the top 100 of world tennis. Just like every other artist and athlete, all of Sofie’s accomplishments are a direct result of her hard work and effort and should never be overlooked because she competes in a wheelchair.
Plans for the Future
While Sofie has come a long way with her passions, she plans on going even further. In dance, her next step is becoming a European and World Champion in dance. As for tennis, she aspires to compete in the Paralympics.
Sofie also strives to bring a change in inclusiveness as well as accessibility, allowing for greater independence in the disabled community.
But most importantly, she preaches to “find your passion and don’t let your disability stop you from making a life that you are proud of.”
Thank you so much Sofie for your bravery and strength in sharing your story!
Be sure to check Sofie out on Instagram @sofiecox1 !
We believe these stories are important for others to hear, not only for awareness of the disease itself, but also for the support it provides to every patient. Thank you so much to all the people who share their stories with us! We truly appreciate your strength and not only are you contributing to our organization, but you are also furthering the awareness of rare diseases as a whole.
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Citations
Cox, S. (2020, October 24). Virtual Interview through Zoom.
Cox, S. (n.d.). Biography. Retrieved November 22, 2020, from https://sofiecox.be/en/about-me/biography/