Previously published in Examiner
Psychologists have long known that our mental health will affect our physical health and vice versa. Montreal born Luca “Lazylegz” Patuelli shows us how severe physical limitations do not have to squash our dreams and limit our goals. His wonderful attitude towards life is an inspiration to us all.
Luca the young boy with dreams grew into the man with dreams that he actually fulfilled. His mangled legs did not stop him from achievement. Today he is a dancer. He is a break-dancer and can break-dance along with the best of them. The young man with the positive mental health attitude has done what every normal individual aspires to do. He has gone horseback riding, swimming, sailing, diving, skiing, and skateboarding. He is now a professional dancer, a motivational speaker, and teacher. He founded the dance crew called ILL-Abilities, an International group of disabled break-dancers.
“Lazylegz has performed on stage with renowned artists such as Kanye West, K-OS, James Brown and many more. He was also featured on many international media sources, including;Americas Got Talent,So You Think You Can Dance Canada, MBC Korea, NTV Japan, the CBC, and theNBC Today Show. Most recently, Lazylegz and his other crew ILLMASK, represented the world in their biggest performance to date, at the Vancouver 2010Paralympic Opening Ceremonies. He starred in the “One inspires all” segment where a world record was broken for the biggest flash mob dance.
On June 30, 2011, Luca Patuelli attempted to walk 2 kilometers without the aid of his crutches; he succeeded in walking one kilometer. Please look at the video of his triumph over his handicap and the inspiring words he has for everyone here
His never faltering spirit reminds this examiner of another Canadian, Terry Fox, who did what no one else, thought possible. He walked across Canada on one good leg until cancer finally took his life. These young men, a Montreal native, and a British Columbia native, show us all how to live our lives to the fullest without letting our disabilities disable us. The old psychological adage holds true, “We are what we think.”
For More Information: www.lazylegz.comand www.illabilitiescrew.com
Montrealers rejoice as Shriners International decided to keep the Shriners Hospital in Montreal. Luca Patuelli was also a patient of this wonderful, top-notch child amputee and world-renowned burn center.