Tuesday, December 6, 2011

ILL-Abilities Crew

ILL-Abilities is an international breakdance crew comprised of dancers who may be perceived as having physical limitations in some way.

Sergio born with a major malformation in his legs, his condition is unknown but suspected of being a “Thalidomide” case. Sergio’s lower limbs are affected and his feet are at knee level. Instead of a wheelchair Sergio uses his skateboard named “Marcia” to transport himself around. His dance style is very much based on his arm strength, making his movements look like he is constantly floating.
Luca was born with Arthrogryposis, a condition affecting the bones and causing stiffness in the joints in the body. For Luca, it has affected him mainly in his legs creating weak muscle developments which makes him walk and dance on crutches. His dance style mainly consists of strength movements on his crutches and on the ground. He believes any movement he does on the ground he can replicate them on his crutches. His crutches are used as an extension to his arms.
Jacob was born completely deaf in his right ear and has lost most of the hearing in his left ear, due to ear infections at a young age and to a number of traumatic head injuries. Jacob has been using a hearing aid since the age of 4 and reads lips. He’s able to dance by feeling the vibrations of the bass and watching his audience clap to the beat. Jacob is known for having innovated air flares and the use of upper-body strength in Bboying. His style consists of many dynamic and strength-related movements that allow him to fly around the entire dance floor.

Tommy, at the age of 18 he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (malignant bone tumor) in his right knee. Given the choice of amputation or prosthetic bone implants, Tommy decided on amputation for the ability to continue high level physical activity. His dream was to continue dancing after treatment. Tommy enjoys battling and performing in shows. His goals are to travel and train with crews from all over the world.


Redouan born with several physical malformations with no right hip, the right leg shorter than the other as well as his right arm being shorter and lacking an elbow joint. Redouan has a total of five fingers two on the right and three on the left. He currently wears a prosthetic to help support his hip and walks with a limp. His dance style is very much oriented on his flexibility and smoothness making his movements look like they are just slithering across the floor.