The results of an x-ray on Shae Santiglia’s back when she was eight showed she had scoliosis, a condition where her spine was bent out of shape.

However, the 13-year-old from Glenroy was last month crowned national under-13 hip-hop dance champion at the Follow Your Dreams National Competitions.

Doctors encouraged Shae to dance as much as she could to keep active.

When she was diagnosed with scoliosis the bend in her spine was measured at 10 degrees, and has since grown to 30 degrees, but Shae hopes with the help of doctors she can limit long-term damage.

“We are trying to prevent it from getting worse and really hurt when I’m older,” she said. “I just kind of have to know when to stop, but it doesn’t really hurt when dancing.”

Shae is planning on returning to defend her title next year.