Rachael Hannah Storey

Pole Dancer, Aerialist and Multi Skilled Performer

Completely blind since the age of 15, Rachael Hannah Storey likes to try activities she is told she can’t do. Adventurous and adrenaline driven, Rachael gives people a different perspective on blindness and what we are capable of. She disables social stigmas surrounding disabilities by doing unusual and quirky things, this is what led her to circus arts.

In 2017, Rachael began pole dancing and aerial hoop, trapeze and silks. This gave her a passion for the circus community and its inclusivity. She began blogging – her YouTube channel and website are due to launch soon – about her journey, the misconceptions that come with being a blind pole dancer and aerialist and how the community could become more accessible for disabled artists. She shares videos about her training and how she learns new skills. Her most recent new skills are fire spinner and contortionist.

Rachael campaigns on various issues to do with circus arts including sporting clothing and making equipment more blind user friendly. She has plans to campaign for more disabled categories to be included in pole dancing and aerial competitions.

In 2019, Rachael climbed to the top of Ben Nevis and pole danced at the top. She is the first blind pole dancer to be featured on a pole dancing calendar and is also featured as a blind pole dancer in the inclusive pole dictionary. She has featured on ITV News. Later this year, Rachael will be competing in the International Pole Sports Federation Championships 2020.