- Title: COLOMBIA: One-legged Colombian dancer becomes YouTube star
- Date: 5th November 2007
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PROFESSIONAL DANCER, REYNALDO OJEDA, SAYING: "I go out and do my thing, go out and dance, go out and express what I have learnt over many years; that I am no longer that disabled person, but a living example of self-improvement and an example for others to follow. Some people tell me that they thought about committing suicide, but after seeing me, they rethink about doing it."
- Embargoed: 20th November 2007 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Colombia
- Country: Colombia
- Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVAE29WXQCHSMS4DGU2VPBMPBSCY
- Story Text: Salsa dancer with one leg becomes inspiration in Colombia and a YouTube phenomenon.
He's a salsa dancer with a difference - and a YouTube sensation.
Colombian Reynaldo Ojeda lost his left leg at birth due to complications - but that did not dim his zest for life and in particular his passion for salsa dancing.
He has now become a star on a YouTube with a video showing him dancing salsa with dance partner Claudia Sanchez with the help of a crutch. So far it's been seen 948,895 times.
Despite his disability, 33-year-old Reynaldo has now become one of the best salsa professional dancers in the Colombian capital city of Bogota. But success has come a price.
During his youth he was the target of cruel jokes and girls shunned him. He was discriminated against by employees and was bullied at school for his disability.
"When I graduated from high school and had my own responsibilities, I started circulating my C.V. among companies; from companies I thought would help me. But they rejected me, disabled people were discriminated against. That was a difficult stage for me and being a teenager at school was also tough because a disabled person was looked down upon, some time ago."
Reynaldo has been dancing since childhood. He learnt to dance salsa with his cousins and sister - becoming an inspiration to the disadvantaged.
"I go out and do my thing, go out and dance, go out and express what I have learnt over many years; that I am no longer that disabled person, but a living example of self-improvement and an example for others to follow.
Some people tell me that they thought about committing suicide, but after seeing me, they rethink about doing it."
For the past nine months, ever since he turned professional, his show has become one of the biggest salsa attractions in Bogota. He charges between 1,000.00 to 2,500.00 U.S. dollars for private showings.
One of his greatest achievements has been to perform abroad in salsa dancing festivals in Puerto Rico and Central America.
His current dance partner, Leidy Johanna Cruz, says that he's an excellent partner.
"It's slightly complicated because we you have to adapt to his pace, but he's an excellent partner, person, friend. He understands me. When we practice, we talk about what we'll do, in order to ensure a good performance on the dance floor."
Reynaldo used a prosthetic leg since he was nine, but when he turned 18-years-old, a man he had hired to make him a new leg stole his money - so Reynaldo switched to using a crutch.
His mother says he doesn't need a prosthetic leg.
"When he was nine years-old, he got a prosthetic leg, but I used to think he looked disabled with that leg. He walked slowly and used to fall at the slightest sight of a stone. So I told him one day, 'Son, I don't like seeing you with a prosthetic leg,' because he is very skilled at using the crutch."
His dream is to compete in a professional salsa competition in the U.S.
and is saving up to turn his wish into a reality. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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