Routine tinnitus check reveals brain tumour for paramedic and circus performer Paige Footner

A routine tinnitus check turned into something far more sinister for an Australian paramedic and circus performer. But she is hoping her health battle will inspire others.

Paige Footner had the best of both worlds working as a paramedic and a professional circus performer. Picture: Supplied.

Paige Footner has been living the best of both worlds — working as a paramedic and chasing her dreams as a circus artist — until a brain tumour diagnosis put her ambitions on pause.

But the 30-year-old from Gulfview Heights is anything but dejected, turning her life’s scariest diagnosis into her current motivation.

Working with SA Ambulance for five years had allowed Ms Footner to witness first-hand how fragile life could be.

“You get a front-row seat to people’s choices and consequences of those,” she said.

“We see people who work really hard their whole life and plan to go on this big trip when they retire or they never chase their dreams that they’ve always wanted to.

“Then it’s too late and they die with regrets or they get their health taken away,” she said

That sobering reality inspired her to live life to the fullest and unexpectedly, led her to circus arts.

With a lot of hard work, grit and determination along with years of training, Ms Footner became the only Cyr wheel performer in South Australia, performing at various shows and festivals worldwide.

Ms Footner was on her way to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe festival in August. Picture: Peter Tsimop Photography

A routine tinnitus check-up at the doctor revealed a large brain tumour, which Ms Footner wouldn’t have discovered if not for her circus work. Picture: Supplied.

However, a routine tinnitus check last month – before Ms Footner was to head off to the Edinburgh Fringe in August – revealed a tumour.

The unexpected diagnosis “was a completely incidental finding,” she said.

“In a way, circus saved my life,” she said.

The discovery left Ms Footner reeling, seeing her life “flash before her eyes”.

“My first reaction was that I’m going to die and I’ve never found love before,” she said.

“I’ve never had a boyfriend and I’m very brave in terms of doing circus tricks, but I never told the boy I liked that I liked him.

“So I was going to die without love, intimacy, what every little girl dreams of when they’re younger.”

Ms Footner has taken comfort in the support offered her by the community. Picture: Dean Martin

However, Ms Footner has been met with overwhelming support, after sharing her story publicly a few weeks ago.

Her friends also launched a raffle fundraiser, complete with circus-related prizes, and a GoFundMe to help cover her medical costs and lost income.

“Weirdly, I never thought I could be this happy with a brain tumour, but now I’m very happy after going public with it and just being blown away by all of the love and support,” she said.

“Initially I felt very alone and scared — about money, how I was going to be able to live for the next six months.

“And now it’s just turned the darkest place into something bright and positive.”

She credits the love of her community and her plucky spirit as her guiding posts through these uncertain times.

“I’m trying to use this experience as a way to inspire people to live their life fiercely and intensely while they still can,” she said.

“Tell the boy you like that you like him.

“Try that hobby.

“Don’t leave things unsaid, especially if somebody’s had a positive impact on your life.

“Chase those dreams.

“Go on those trips.

“I know if I can get through this, I’m going to be able to get through pretty much anything. “So once this is over, the world is going to be my oyster.”

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