Heather Mills: A ‘Dancing’ Inspiration

Heather Mills’ back flip on “Dancing With the Stars” would have been impressive even if she had two legs.

But when you consider that she did it with only one, it becomes something truly special. Especially to people like Jennifer Bergmann, who can relate to Heather’s efforts.

“The way the ruffles hit the knee, you really can’t tell,” Jennifer noted as she watched Heather dance. “Her skin on the leg is good. There are things as an amputee I’m more in tune with.”

For Jennifer, Heather is true inspiration. Much like Mills, Jennifer has an artificial leg after losing hers to cancer 12 years ago at the age of 17.

“There’s a major stigma with people who have disabilities, that they are not able to do a lot of things and it’s not that, it’s just we aren’t going to do it the same way,” Jennifer explained.

Jennifer and her husband James — who met nearly 4 years ago online – live in Huntington, Long Island where they snuggle together each week on the couch to cheer Heather on in her “Dancing” quest.

(Jennifer and James root for Heather as they watch ‘DWTS’)

And they hope her impressive performances will help others to better understand amputees.

“When you have this disability you’re scared to share with everybody, you might feel embarrassed or ashamed and it’s not your fault,” Jennifer told Access. “So the fact that this is in your face and millions of people are going to see it, it’s nice to see that she’s as comfortable as she is and say ‘I’m going to do this!’”

Like Heather, 29-year-old Jennifer has the same go-getter attitude and has never let her disability get in the way. Not in her work as a makeup artist or in her workouts on the treadmill.

And Jennifer shared with Access a special message of thank for her favorite dancing “Star.”

“Hey Heather, I’m Jen. I just want to say I’ve been watching you on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ and I’m really happy to see you there. I think it’s a really positive thing you are doing. It’s really exciting to see you with the same disability I have,” Jennifer said to our cameras, which we played for Heather after Tuesday night’s show.

And in fact, Heather offered a special message back to Jennifer.

“Hi Jen. I bet you’re sexy as anything and if you’re dancing, try it. Be cool,” Heather responded.

While she might not be quite ready for the big time, Jennifer showed us in her wedding photos that she can definitely dance.

“I was so nervous. I wish I could dance better,” Jennifer said. “But it doesn’t stop me. I have fun.”

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