Boston Marathon Bombing Victim, Ballroom Dancer, Teacher and Amputee Gets Invite from Dancing with the Stars

Adrianne Haslet-Davis Vows to Dance Again

Adrianne Haslet-Davis examines an example of what her prosthetic may look like in the future.

When the first bomb went off, Adrianne was far enough away from the blast to not be injured. Jolted by the sound wave and smoke, she remembers thinking there could be more than one. She held on to her husband standing next to her. A few seconds later, the second blast would tear through her left foot and leg. After being rushed to the hospital, the doctors had to amputate about 5 inches below the left knee.

32 year old ballroom dance teacher Adrianne Haslet-Davis was interviewed by hit show Dancing with the Stars last night, sharing her thoughts on the Boston bombing and the loss of her leg. Inspired by her courage and determination to dance again, the producers invited her to dance on the program whenever she is ready. It's not just an invitation to dance in front of millions of viewers on one of her favorite shows, it's a physical and mental challenge she fully intends to meet.

When she does, Adrianne won't be the first limb loss person on the popular show. Amputee Heather Mills (ex-wife of Paul McCartney) was a contestant on DWTTS back in 2007. Mills was injured in a motorcycle accident in 1993 and also had her leg amputated below the knee. She is now the Vice President of The Limbless Association, a charitable organization in the United Kingdom.

Though Adrianne is nervous about learning to walk and dance again (in a different way), she is extremely confident and positive about her future. She knows the rehabilitation process will take a lot of work and time, but she is resolved to meet the challenge. Our thoughts and well-wishes go out to Adrianne and to her husband, Air Force Captain Adam Davis (also injured but not as serious). We hope to see her on the ballroom floor very soon.

About Limb Loss

Adrianne’s story is an example of how advancements in prosthetic medicine provide hope to thousands of amputees each year. Doctors acknowledge that prosthetics have come a long way in the past 10 years – mainly due to the number of Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans returning home with missing limbs.

To learn more about prosthetics and amputee issues, visit the Limb Loss Resource Center created by the Amputee Coalition.

For 4 Year Old Maya Vasquez, Daily Hurdles Don’t Curb Her Determination

“Heroes aren’t always big brawny guys who save the day.”

Life moves forward at a very fast past for four year old Maya Vasquez. As a little girl with many special needs, she is always on the go. But unlike other toddlers, her busy day is not about play dates and Fisher Price toys; it’s all about doctor appointments and physical therapy. Maya faces daily hurdles that most children her age outgrew at infancy–she is unable to sit, stand, roll over, walk or perform daily living skills without the 24/7 help of her attentive and loving family, and her ability to communicate with them is very limited. But when you meet this beautiful little girl, that’s not what you notice first. When Maya’s soft smile spreads over her face–and it usually does!–you would never know how challenging her life is.

A debilitating combination of Bilateral schizencephaly–a rare developmental disorder characterized by abnormal clefts in the brain’s cerebral hemispheres , –cerebral palsy, developmental delays, and impaired vision have made Maya very dependent on her “wheels”. Since she cannot use her legs or spine to propel her, her wheelchair is her life. And as she has grown, and the chair has gotten bigger, it is becoming more and more difficult for her young mother to fit Maya–and her equipment–in her small car. And there’s always a specialist to see, or a class to attend, or a walk to take with Mom or Dad and dog Molly. Maya even has a role to play at the Center for Disability Services, where she attends preschool. Her sweet disposition and angelic face made her a natural to serve as the Center’s child ambassador for its 2012 Telethon.

Heroes aren’t always big brawny guys who save the day. Sometimes they are beautiful young children like Maya, who inspires those around her every day. She will always have enormous struggles to face as she grows, but it’s clear that she will meet them head on with sweetness and determination. Maya has made tremendous strides since her birth, and her family is convinced she will continue to make progress. Who knows what worlds a wheelchair-accessible van would open up to her?

To vote for Maya, please visit her Mobility Awareness profile page. For you own NMEDA entry, use MobilityWorks DEALER CODE# 64ANK.