Story & Lesson Highlights with Lily Repace

Lily Repace shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Lily, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
A recent moment that made me laugh and feel proud at the same time actually is when I was dancing in the opener of the brand I represent, Just BE, runway show my mom told me to make sure my hearing aid batteries were changed and I told her it was fine because I had just changed them a week ago and they last up to 2 weeks. Well, my hearing aid battery for one aid went out right before I had to perform and do a quick change to walk the runway. I laugh because Mom always knows best and I was proud because I proved to myself I can still do my best performance and walk a runway without hearing because the show must go on!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am 14 years old, with a rare condition called branchiotorenal syndrome. To make it easy to understand it means it affects my hearing and my kidneys. I wear hearing aids because I have moderate to severe hearing loss and I have one kidney left (stage 2 chronic kidney disease). I’ve been dancing since I was 3 years old and learned to dance without hearing aids so I did so by feeling the beat. Dance is healing for me not just emotionally but physically too. I also love to model and act. I really want to inspire others who have a disability or chronic illness or both that they can do all of these things too.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My mentor Ruby Tilley has been my greatest teacher. She saw me as a 10 year old and told me that nothing is unattainable. That has stuck with me. She helped me share how I feel music vs hearing. When I have ideas for a project she never tells me I can’t do it she is there to support me and bring it to life. Ruby leads by example, she has accomplished so much at a young age and only gets better and does more. Because of her I am not afraid to dream bigger every single time.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I’ve always had a fear of speaking in public and singing because I’m deaf/hard of hearing. I started to lose that fear when my mentor had me read a poem to be the sound on a project we worked on to explain how I feel vs hear sounds. I didn’t like hearing it at first and was afraid of everyone judging how I spoke because it’s not 100 percent clean and I’ve had a speech therapist since I was 3 years old. I’m happy to say though that once I got the courage to share it I also got brave enough to start singing lessons with the greatest coach, Genevieve Goings. I’ve recorded songs and even shared them. She is patient with me and can explain things to me knowing I don’t hear like everyone else.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes! I am all about being 100 percent authentic. I love when I’m booked for a job because of my hearing aids because then I’m representing others who wear hearing aids or have a disability and maybe give them the inspiration to go out and do the same if they want to and thought they couldn’t or maybe had a fear of showing their true self in public. I had someone say that I only book jobs because I say I’m deaf/hard of hearing. Let me tell you, without my aids I’d have to be reading your lips or have you yelling for me to try to hear you. Also, I’m proud of my hearing aids and I always want to be 100 percent myself because I love who I am.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely! All of the things I do are for my happiness and for my health with the hope of inspiring others to go out and live your life without the limitations society can put on you. If it makes you happy you should do it. If you do it just for praise you’ll never be completely happy because everyone has their opinions and that comes with both positive and negative comments. Always do it for you!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilybug_thedancer?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@lilyrepace?si=ibXEoih3R7LMqBBa

Image Credits
Digital personal photo by Jasmine Gonzalez

Runway photo Natalie Wilson and Maddie Leclair

Flower dress photo by Ruby Heart Photography

Sitting photo and headshot with black and white jacket by Jasmine Gonzalez

Other 3 photos are bts taken by mom Asha Repace