Evan Ruggiero Amputee Tap Dancer w/ Peg Leg

****READ DESCRIPTION****

Evan Ruggiero was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, bone cancer, in his right tibia in October 2009. After 6 months of surgery(10 surgeries), the cancer had come back and spread more. On may 21st, 2010 his right leg was amputated above the knee. Evan then went through 9 months of intensive chemo therapy and 2 lung surgeries. In this video Evan is trying out his new peg leg. He was always a tap dancer and the amputation wasn't going to stop that. He was inspired by Clayton "Peg Leg" Bates. ****This is one of the first times he attempted to tap**** ENJOY!!!

******PLEASE NOTE******
This video was taken from a macbook using iphoto, so the image you see is a mirrored view, i have gotten a couple of messages saying its your left leg, but no, its the right, sorry for any confusion.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Evan
• Ruggiero
• peg
• leg
• tap
• dancer
• amputee
• bates

[ye911168c]

Evan This is definitely one of the coolest things on Youtube !! Please let's have some more of you tapping, you are one very talented guy !

[JJCSM85]

@ye911168c thank you very much, I've been keeping up with this in my tap classes, i'm sure someone will take a video soon and it will be posted to show some more progress

[rustyfrank]

Hey there! So proud of you. I new Peg Leg Bates very well, and he would BE PROUD OF YOU!!!! All my best wishes to you, love, Rusty Frank, author, TAP!THE GREATEST TAP DANCE STARS AND THEIR STORIES 1900-1955.

[JJCSM85]

@rustyfrank thank you! i'm glad you enjoyed it, stay tuned for more to come

[alligator0011]

Nice performance from amp ...u r awesome bro ...how many prost do u have ? Can u show how to put on your peg leg and walk with it ? O:)☆ː̗̀º†̬̩̊ºː̖́G̲̅ōd̲̅☆B̲̅Ɩe̅­̲ş̅ş̅☆Y̅ōūː̗̀º†̬̩̊ºː̖́☆O:) ...

[JJCSM85]

@alligator0011 i dont use my peg leg for everyday walking, i use otoo bock's c leg, which is great. those are the only two i have, but for the peg leg i use complete skin to socket suction and with my c leg i use a liner with lubricant

[romahanlon]

Very cool! My daughter was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right femur about the same time (June 2009). She tapped for many years, but had actually stopped about a year before diagnosis. She has the compress prosthesis, so has both legs, but since high impact activities are off limits, she doesn't tap any more -- BUT she occasionally tries with one leg! I'm sure she'll love your video!

[TiffKeiller]

I will never complain in tap class again!

[SuperHorselover91]

It is a sad day when you see one of your friends going through this. I've known evan since my sophmore year. while i am sad that he lost his lower leg, i am glad he continues with what he loves. Continue on Evan.

[broadwaymike92]

Evan You're incredible and I am really impressed. I've watched your talent grow since my 6th Grade Year and when you taped dance on Sing Sing Sing after I did the Broadway Medley in the Salk talent Show that year, I just immediately had goosebumps!

[katelyn1324]

WOW. you are in inspiration to all us tappers. <3 you live life wonderfully.

[BoOtlegXClan]

WHO DISLIKED THIS VIDEO FU

[mytheodosia]

fabulous! I have a ballet student missing one arm. She is THE most determined student I have. You are an inspiration to show that with determination you can truly do ANYTHING. Wonderful tap sounds! Good for you!