Evan Ruggiero is a professional dancer. He has worked in theatres around the world and in 2018 danced at the Oscars. He was nominated for 'Outstanding actor' at this years' Drama Desk awards and is currently auditioning for Broadway roles.
In 2010 Evan had to have his right leg amputated following an illness. He says, "I was self conscious in the early days, especially when people would draw their children away from me." But Evan quickly adjusted to his new life; "I remembered Clayton 'Peg leg' Bates - a tapping legend who'd lost his leg in a cotton mill accident when he was 12 and had danced on a peg leg made by his uncle. I'd grown up idolising him."
"Now I dance in a different way. People tell me my shoulders are hunched or my head is over to the side. Well. that's because I'm dancing on one leg!"
Evan says attitudes have changed towards amputees in the last 10 years; "Now it's, 'Hey, I'm an amputee, loud and proud!' It's important to show the world amputees are people who are happy and continuing with their lives."
What do you see in the picture?
What do you notice about the person in the photo?
What do you think their job is?
Explain the story
- How do you think Evan felt when he first learned he was to be an amputee?
- Evan is a dancer; when he became an amputee why didn't he give up dancing?
- Why does he say he felt self conscious in the early days?
- Why did people "draw their children away" from Evan? What does that show about some people and attitudes towards difference? What would you say to those people?
- Evan says "I am an amputee loud and proud!" Why is he proud of being an amputee?
- Why does Evan say it's important to show the world amputees are happy people who are continuing with their lives?
- What British law says people with disabilities should not face discrimination? What other groups of people are mentioned in the law? (The Equality Act 2010)
- What can we learn from Evan?
- Why is this story about No Outsiders?
No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the Equality Act in primary schools by Andrew Moffat
Reclaiming radical ideas in schools: Preparing young children for life in modern Britain" by Andrew Moffat
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