There's nothing quite like watching someone overcome a disability, or at least finding a feasible workaround. Bill Shannon aka Crutch had something called Legg-Calve-Perthes syndrome which left behind a femur that is deformed at the hip socket. It's apprently very painful, but Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome never looked so awesome as it does in his routine for RJD2's "Work it Out." After playfully avoiding a standard gesture of help from RJD2 himself, Shannon launches into a routine outside Brooklyn's Borough Hall using rocker-bottom crutches and a skateboard
to create dance moves that would make any B-boy insanely jealous. In so doing, Shannon turns the question of disability and empathy on its societal head. And, it's a way for Shannon to turn what is a fact of life into a super-cool art form. Therefore, I would like to award him — with Video Static Steve's permission — the first Video Static Medal of Honor. (review by Kevin Holy) --> watch "Work It Out"
RJD2 "Work It Out" (XL/Beggars)
Joey Garfield, director | Michaela McKee, producer | Ghost Robot, production co | Maceo Bishop, DP/steadicam operator | Jacob Craycroft, editor
note 1: The performance in this video is ONE TAKE. Shannon performed it 16 times through to get the final versions. That's right, versions. It was apparently a split decision on which take was best, so one version of the video/routine is online (and linked above), while the other is airing on TV and can be seen here.
note 2: The Video Static Medal of Honor does not exist and has no cash value.
