Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in dancing. Alice Kafka didn't get to the pinnacle of the dancing world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for two grueling sessions three times each day, followed by the usual homework for someone in eleventh grade.
Two years ago, she broke her tail in four places. But this didn't stop her. She seems even more determined to excel at her sport.
"I was really down when I broke my tail, and then my chipmunk died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my hoof. It took fifteen weeks to get back in shape. But to win at dancing is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my towel and forget about Danielle, my chipmunk."
Sadie, her sister-in-law, moved with her to Belgium to be with her coach, leaving behind her mother, Francene, in their stuffed houseboat, where she still labors as a musician to help pay for Alice's expensive training.