World-class wheelchair dancer Janette Isomäki risks losing mobility due to reduced rehabilitation support

Finnish wheelchair dancer Janette Isomäki, one of the world’s leading athletes in electric wheelchair dance, may lose her ability to move independently after the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) drastically cut her rehabilitation sessions, Yle reports.

Isomäki, who has spastic cerebral palsy, says her muscles are gradually stiffening due to insufficient therapy. Without proper rehabilitation, she risks losing basic functions like eating or using a phone. “Now I only get maintenance exercises that relieve pain. Nothing more,” she told Yle.

Kela reduced her physiotherapy sessions from 190 over a three-year period to just 120, despite no change in her condition. Her doctor and physiotherapist argue she needs significantly more treatment to maintain her current mobility. Isomäki has appealed the decision and is prepared to take legal action.

Her husband and dance partner, Rami Isomäki, also faced similar cuts to his rehabilitation. The couple, who recently competed in Finland’s national wheelchair dance championships, say the reductions threaten their daily lives—Rami already struggles with tasks like lifting pots due to worsening stiffness.

Both have also clashed with the Pirkanmaa wellbeing services county over personal assistance hours, accusing authorities of interpreting disability service laws to provide only the minimum required support. Kela denies cost-cutting, stating decisions are made individually based on medical assessments.

Isomäki, who describes dance as her “life and soul,” warns that without intervention, her arms could lock in place, crushing her lungs and ending her career. “I wouldn’t cope without dancing at all,” she said.