OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Thunder’s recent NBA championship marks a historic first for the state. But for O’City Crew dancer Joslyn Mitchell, the moment carries even deeper meaning.
At age 3, Mitchell was temporarily paralyzed by Kawasaki disease and told she might never walk again. This summer, she danced on the NBA’s biggest stage.
“Her story is definitely a sculpture of a miracle,” said her mother, Dona Gassaway Mitchell. “That’s what we call Joslyn.”
Mitchell’s condition left her family terrified and uncertain of what to do.
“We were scared. We didn’t know what to do,” Dona said.
“They didn’t know what to do. So they had to call in a team of experts who had experienced this disease before, and they came up with another medicine.
They were on a time frame of 10 days, and that medicine ended up overtaking the disease.”
In a time of fear, the family turned to prayer. With the help of doctors, Mitchell made a full recovery.
“It temporarily paralyzed me, and it makes you more blessed to be where you are in that moment,” Mitchell said.
“For me, being able to play sports and being able to dance, it was an eye-opener. It taught me to never take anything for granted.”
Mitchell went on to live an active childhood, playing sports and eventually falling in love with dance.
She is now a two-year veteran of the Thunder’s O’City Crew hip-hop team.
“To see going from that when I was three years old to now being 30 years old and being able to do what I do now—it’s nothing but God,” she said.
“Every time I’m wearing a uniform, every time I step on the court, every time I get to say that I am a dancer—just being here is a blessing that I would never be able to describe in words.”
Mitchell had no formal training when she first started taking prep dance classes in college, encouraged by her parents.
She said she hopes her story inspires others to chase their dreams.
“Nothing is too big to go for. It’s just a matter of you going for it,” she said.
“There’s only one you—no one can ever beat you at being you. And if anyone ever doubts that they’re too small for something, look at me. Look at my story. Everything I went for, I felt like I was the underdog. If it wasn’t for God, I wouldn’t have it.”
Now, Mitchell isn’t just a survivor—she’s a champion.
“To see her blossom into the beautiful woman that she is, and showcasing her talent across the world for others to see—her story behind it is definitely going to promote other children to go for their dreams,” her mother said.
“Regardless of the challenges, the health problems they may have, or whatever conditions they’re going through.”
Dona Mitchell even wrote a book about Joslyn’s journey, titled “A Sculpture of a Miracle – God’s Glory,” hoping to inspire other families facing health challenges.
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