The genetic hearing impairment, which her mother and sister also have, means that she wears a hearing aid in each ear on a daily basis.
The apprentice electrician from Laois was visibly emotional after she dedicated her performance to her parents.
The 21-year-old who has been sitting comfortably at the top half of the leader board week-on-week, said that while her disability “doesn’t define” her, she experienced “insecurity with it growing up,” but has “gotten over it in the last two or three years”.
The DWTS contestant is “really glad” to have gotten the opportunity to share what she feels is a really important message as she recognises that there are many people who struggle to accept their disability.
None of the contestants were sent home this week, however, Katelyn and her professional dance partner Leonardo Lini, were announced as having won immunity from next weeks dance-off, after landing the highest combined score from the judges vote and public say.
The pair are adamant that this won’t change how they approach next week, and that preparations will be as rigorous as ever, with the Rose noting that she’s not afraid to ask her mentor to be “brutally honest”, enabling her “to grow as a dancer”.
It comes as no surprise that Katelyn, who has been flagged as a potential candidate for the glitterball trophy, counted dancing as one of her hobbies growing up.
“I did Irish dancing for a few years, and I picked up jiving with my mam maybe two or three years ago when we were down in the pub.
“We had my cousin’s wedding coming up and I really wanted to be able to jive at it, and then I learned that the jive was my grandad’s favourite type of dance – that made it really special,” Ms Cummins said.
Securing 32 points out of a possible 40, her performance was described as “beautifully youthful” by judge Brian Redmond.
Despite, producing consistently top-shelf performances, both Katelyn and Leonardo insist that they are taking the competition one week at a time.
“We have our struggles during the week – we’ve had different falls and different slip-ups, not being able to get a step right, but by Sunday evening, it all comes together.”
UK Apprentice stars Jordan Dargan topped the leader board on Dedicated Dance Week, scoring 39 points, out of a possible 40.
The businessman who dedicated his American Smooth to his mother, landed the first 10s of the season.
At the bottom of the board with 11 points, was The Traitors Ireland star Paudie Moloney, who performed a jive dedicated to his ten grandchildren.
The professional dancers paid tribute to former DWTS judge, Julian Benson, who passed away last April.
DWTS returns next Sunday night at 6:30pm, where the remaining nine contestants will perform a dance to the theme of, Fright Night.
