Accessible Everything - An accessible & inclusive travel blog for people with disabilities

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Steve Gerecke and Lucas “LazyLegz” Patuelli

By Craig Grimes

I’ve recently had the pleasure of meeting Steve Gerecke via the internet who is a Canadian photographer that has arthrogryposis which is a disability that I had never heard of. I asked Steve about the condition and of course we referred to Wikipedia……

According to Wikipedia “Arthrogryposis, also known as Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC), is a rare congenital disorder that causes multiple joint contractures and can include muscle weakness and fibrosis. It is a non-progressive disease. The disease derives its name from Greek, literally meaning ‘curved or hooked joints’.”

Steve, aged forty something, has never let his disability get in his way and is now an accomplished professional photographer, loves street painting and also doing murals. To see a lot of his work on Flickr use this link. Whilst talking to him on messenger he’s always cracking jokes and says “Hope you have a sense of humor man, I find it hard to be serious about anything.”

I also saw another Canadian with AMC on Wikipedia called Lucas Patuelli, AKA “LazyLegz“, who is a renowned breakdancer. He’s competed all over the world in places such as Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Montreal, Torronto, Paris and Rome to mention a few. “LazyLegz” also gives motivational talks, especially to young people. Lucas says “it’s about taking the bad and making it good.”

These are two great examples of people with disabilities getting out there and changing the way that others perceive us.