Previously published Examiner
Montreal born Luca “Lazylegz” Patuelli shows us how severe physical limitations do not have to squash our dreams and limit our goals.
Lazylegz – Part 2 – The boy with a dream
Psychologists have long known that our mental health will affect our physical health and vice versa. Montreal born Luca Patuelli is a homespun icon and the aspiration for everyone who refuses to let their sickness or disease define them and dictate the way they will live their life. Luca Patuelli was born with a rare disease called arthrogryposis also known as arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC). His wonderful attitude towards life is an inspiration to us all.
Patuelli’s medical problems did not end with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC).
At the tender age of eight, Luca Patuelli also developed scoliosis, which is a disease that affects the curvature of the spine. He went into his teen years, at the age of 13, having a 60 percent curvature of the spine. This conditioned required corrective surgery. The surgeons fitted young Luca with a titanium rod to support his spine. A total of eight vertebrae were fused to the rod.
A boy with a zest for life and the determination to succeed
Luca Patuelli had dreams just like any other teenage boy. He wanted to skateboard, however a knee surgery cancelled out that option. Luca had 16 surgeries in today. Even though he could not skateboard, he never gave up his dream to be just like a “normal boy and a normal young man.”