Luca ‘Lazylegz’ explores ‘dancing like yourself’ in new book

If you never thought a duck could be an inspiration, think again. This particular duck, named Funky, is the creation of Luca “Lazylegz” Patuelli, also known as B-boy Lazylegz. Both Patuelli and Funky were born different. Funky’s legs are of different lengths and “kind of crooked,” explains Patuelli in his new children’s book, Funky, the duck with dancing dreams, and one of his wings “didn’t quite grow like the other.” 

Patuelli was born with a condition called arthrogryposis, which affects his legs and shoulders. Both Funky and Luca had dreams of becoming dancers. Funky wanted to enter a dance competition called DuckFest. Patuelli dreamed of becoming a breaker (a breakdancer). Funky watched the other dancers, but when he tried to copy them, his body couldn’t do the moves. But then he remembered what his parents taught him: “The only mistake would be to give up. These words created a spark in me. If I couldn’t dance like the others, maybe I could dance like myself.” And this inspirational duck went on to become a DuckFest star, creating original moves cheered on by the other ducks.  

When Patuelli realized that his legs could not perform the dance moves of other breakers, he, too, decided to find his own moves. “The beauty about breaking, is that you have to create your own unique style. Because of my difference, I had to learn to create movement on my own,” he explained in a CBC Arts interview on YouTube in 2017. Using two crutches, which he calls his dancing shoes, he created his own signature moves, such as the elbow spin, using his powerful arms.  

Patuelli has now been breakdancing for more than 20 years and has become a world-renowned dancer, choreographer and motivational speaker. He has even created a new word, “ILL-Abilities” to replace the word “disability.” He explains in the interview that in breaking, the words “ill” and “sick” mean the opposite – they mean “amazing” or “incredible.” So, he created a team called ILL-Abilities, which is an international breakdancing crew, as well as a non-profit organization called The No Excuses No Limits movement, both of which foster inclusion and mentorship through the power of dance and the arts.  

Patuelli hopes that the story of Funky will help all children know that they are unique and special, just as they are. “We each have something special to give to this world,” he said during the YouTube video. “When I hear my music, I forget my differences, I only think about my dance. Dancing allows you to be free.”