I have Muscular Dystrophy and have been a wheelchair user since 2010 after a fall. Doctors said I probably wouldn’t live to see 30 years old. And a physical therapist said why should I bother trying to better myself because I’ll never walk again.
With a lot of hard work I was able to gain enough function to be able to use a manual wheelchair, and I joined a group called Dare2tri where I was trained (along with other disabled athletes) to compete in triathlons. I recently competed in the Chicago Triathlon Super Sprint and took home first place in the wheely division.
After joining Dare2tri the Director of Momenta Dance Company had seen me at a workshop they were doing for dancers with disabilities and asked me to come and join her company and dance for them. I am now an Adaptive Dancer and have been dancing with Momenta for over a year. I also choreograph pieces of my own.
I have been working with Momenta to help spread our program of EveryBody Can Dance that helps people with and without disabilities learn to dance.
I’m hoping to help spread my story to help others out there who are facing issues similar to mine and give them hope that there is always a chance and a way to live their dreams.
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Vincenzo is active in the disability community dancing professionally as an Adaptive Dancer along with competing as a Par-TriAthlete. He works with the Abilities Expo as their Ambassador to bring adaptive programs to those who don’t have easy access to them. It is his hope that through his life experiences, he can help make the lives of those with disabilities a little easier.