For a third consecutive year, break dancer Luca “Lazylegz” Patuelli will be the ambassador of Quebec Week for Persons with Disabilities, which will take place from 1er to June 7. An ideal opportunity to continue discussions on accessibility and inclusion, as he hopes to one day erase the taboos around disability.
“I would like to see a society where disability is no longer a taboo. We talk about inclusion, integration, but it’s still a matter of checking the right box, of having a quota of disabled people in society. For me, it has to be natural, for people to be engaged for who they really are,” expresses Luca Patuelli.
Indeed, disabled from birth, the dancer lacked role models like him in his daily life. “It was very rare to see people with disabilities working, but also simply accomplishing things,” he remembers. As a teenager, I was also shy because of my disability, it stopped me in my relationships with others. » Despite this, “Lazylegz” always had a loving family and entourage who supported him through his challenges. “I have always been very active and I didn’t really see myself as different from others. My friends were doing skateboardI did it with them, but on their knees and they accepted it very well [rires] ! Even though bullies were present several times in my life, the support of those close to me was close enough to be able to handle them,” he says.
This year, Quebec Disability Week is focusing its campaign on dialogue, the need to break taboos and continue raising awareness. “I feel that there is a certain evolution. People with disabilities are more visible than when I was young. And among young people, when I go to schools to give workshops, I notice that the mentality has changed, that young people are much more open, that judgment is less present, it is positive,” says Mr. Patuelli .
However, there is still a long way to go, according to him. “In 2024, you can think that all Montreal metro stations will be accessible. Well no, there are only 27 out of 68 stations [qui le sont]. In schools, the same observations: many of them do not offer an elevator. If a child breaks a leg, even without mentioning a disability, what do we do? I would like more work at the local community and government level to see real changes,” he continues.
For the artist, awareness work must be done on both sides. Indeed, he thinks that people without disabilities ignore certain aspects of the lives of people with disabilities, and vice versa. “The conversation must be two-way, so that everyone gains more opportunities otherwise there will always be an imbalance,” he says. To do this, he believes that curiosity remains a quality that can help in the discussion process. “Often, when I walk, young children look at me and ask questions. Either the parents will look down and run away, or they will lie and say that I had a car accident, for example. However, that is not true! We must not be afraid to talk about disability, to ask questions, with respect. Same thing for people with disabilities, they can and must open up to people without disabilities. We all have the opportunity to learn from each other. »
Dance as a confidence tool
A professional artist for over 20 years now, Luca Patuelli says that dance has always been a part of him and has even helped him build his confidence. “What I loved about breaking was that I could create my own movements. Yes, there is a certain repertoire, but your individuality, your own style, is what will make you stand out in the community. So from a very young age, I built my own gestures, which my friends were unable to copy. [rires] ! This is the beauty of this dance, your difference becomes your strength,” says the artist.
Luca Patuelli has been teaching dance in organizations, schools, etc. for over 15 years. Since 2018, he has also given classes at the National Center for Dance Therapy, an initiative of the Grands Ballets Canadiens. He teaches his vision to people living with a disability, but not only that. “No matter everyone’s dance level, physicality, different challenges, I share concepts. Afterwards, each dancer interprets them in their own way. I then work individually with them and we expand to other movements,” he describes. Mr. Patuelli notably gives the example of a young person suffering from cerebral palsy and whose movements are spasmodic. “I showed him some popping movements, a dance which is characterized by very controlled movements, so we worked a lot on breathing and then settled in with the music,” he adds. On the occasion of Quebec Week for People with Disabilities, Mr. Patuelli will also give a dance class, open to all.
In addition to his hats as dancer, teacher, event organizer, coach, etc., Luca Patuelli this year obtained certification to judge the break qualifications which will determine the dancers who go to the Paris Olympics this summer. Finally, he choreographed and will dance for the opening of the Paralympic Games on August 28 with his crewILL-Abilities.