Evan Ruggiero lost his right leg to bone cancer in 2010. He'd been studying musical theatre -- singing, acting, and tap-dancing -- at Montclair State University in New Jersey when he had to have it amputated.


Before the surgery, the Star-Ledger reported, Ruggiero, who was 19 at the time, had a message for doctors: "I promised you I'm going to tap-dance again."[1]


He's come through on that promise.


On Friday -- three years after the amputation -- Ruggiero appeared on 'The Ellen Show'[2] to show the country just how well his recovery has gone.


Now 22, he dances on a metal post that his prosthetics craftsman made him.



He's learned to adapt to his new circumstances.



He even has some new tricks up his sleeve.



Ellen understandably was impressed.



And when he finished his performance, Ellen had a big (OK, HUGE) surprise for him.


"I know the whole situation prolonged college, and that was expensive" Ellen said, "So our friends at Shutterfly[3] want to help."


Then, a $10,000 check came out.


Ruggiero will undoubtedly continue to inspire people -- those with disabilities and without -- to follow their dreams. Because he faced his challenge and came out on top.


"I'm a more beautiful dancer now," Ruggiero told the Star-Ledger this past April. "I dance for life."


Check out Ruggiero's full performance:




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  • Usain Bolt


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  • Eric Moussambani


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  • Lolo Jones


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  • Sadaf Rahimi


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  • Jesse Owens


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  • Natalie Du Toit


    Representing South Africa at the 2008 Beijing Olympic games, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/18/sports/olympics/18longman.html" target="_hplink">swimmer Natalie Du Toit </a>became the first female amputee in an able-bodied Olympics, competing in the women's 10 km race. Du Toit, whose left leg was amputated in 2001 after a car accident, is a successful Paralympian who competes without the aid of a prosthetic limb. In 2010, Du Toit was awarded the <a href="http://www.laureus.com/content/natalie-du-toit-0?awardyear=2010&nomwin=w" target="_hplink">Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability</a> for "breaking down the barriers between disabled and able-bodied sport."




  • Teofilo Stevenson


    Despite being offered millions of dollars to join other national teams, Cuban boxer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Te%C3%B3filo_Stevenson" target="_hplink">Teofilo Stevenson</a> consistently refused to leave his beloved country. "No, I will not leave my country for one million dollars or for much more than that," <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2012/jul/02/50-stunning-olympic-teofilo-stevenson" target="_hplink">he once said.</a> "What is a million dollars against eight million Cubans who love me?" Many couldn't understand his rationale and many more underestimated his skills as a boxer. But in time, Stevenson would go on to gain a place as a national hero, a boxing legend and a three-time Olympic heavyweight champion. Stevenson won gold for Cuba at the 1972, 1976 and 1980 Olympic games.




  • Chris Boardman


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  • Abebe Bikila


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  • Greg Louganis


    Diver <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Louganis" target="_hplink">Greg Louganis</a> of the United States had to overcome fear and injury to clinch a near-perfect dive at the 1988 Seoul Olympic games. In one of the most memorable -- and horrifying -- moments in Olympic history, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5nqeFWufrE" target="_hplink">Louganis had struck his head</a> on the diving board during the preliminary section of the springboard competition. Temporary sutures were applied to his head and just half an hour later, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWS4MlQxi4Y" target="_hplink">Louganis attempted the very same dive</a> -- a reverse somersault. This time, he achieved the highest score in the preliminary round. He would go on to win the gold medal.