From the moment he was born, Oscar Loreto Jr. was incredibly special. He had no hands and part of his leg was also missing, but that never stopped this family man from pursuing his dream. A lot of his work today was inspired by Jon Comer, a pro skateboarder from the 1990s who, similarly, wore a prosthetic leg.
"Seeing that as a kid blew my mind,” Loreto says, describing that first moment he saw the pro skater in a magazine and realized. “Just being able to see another dude skateboarding [who was] missing a leg the same way I'm missing my leg? It just spoke volumes to me."
It’s so important for children with any disability imaginable to be able to see themselves represented in media. That positive reinforcement is what inspires and motivates athletes, artists, and scholars of all kinds. From the little girl in the wheelchair who sang Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” to the queen of CrossFit and consummate athlete who defied all her naysayers, they go on to inspire so many as they grow up.
“You gotta live beyond limits, man,” Loreto says, airily, as if what he’s doing hasn’t already motivated a whole new generation of children who will pursue their passion no matter what. It’s stories like these that remind us to be mindful of the experiences of others and to dream big.
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An Ode To Jon Comer from Don't Sleep Productions on Vimeo.
