A BURLESQUE dancer born with a chronic pain condition was determined it wouldn't affect her dreams, and now she's to be featured in a documentary.

Hayley Mason from Grange Park suffers from Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, (EDS) which is a rare inherited disorder that can affect people in different ways from relatively mild discomfort to debilitating pain.

It affects the connective tissues in skin, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, internal organs and bones.

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But Hayley has always dreamed about being a Burlesque star and wouldn't let her disability stop her.

Hayley, 25, said: "I've had EDS for as long as I can remember and was always in pain as a child.

"When I learned about Burlesque I knew it was what I wanted to do but my disability held me back.

"I decided to take a class when I was living in Australia, but I couldn't keep up with the schedule with my condition.

"So when I moved back to St Helens I worked around my disability so I can follow my dream."

Hayley works part time as a carer, but performs across the North West under the sage name Dottie May.

She takes time off when she needs it and works around her condition and recently she took part in 'Disabilitease' a performance by herself and others with "invisible disabilities" at Liverpool's Everyman Theatre.

This was filmed and is set to feature as part of a documentary in the future.

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Hayley added: "When I'm performing I don't feel weak, I feel strong and powerful and like I can take on anything, something I don't feel like when not performing.

"It's so empowering and I love it so much, so to take part in an event which highlights that you can still do what you want despite having an invisible disability means everything.

"I'd tell others with a disability to not give up on your dreams, work around what you can do and make it happen. Know you're limitations but don't give up."

n For more on Hayley's Dottie May performances follow her on @dottie__may via Instagram.