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Angel Alpaca, age 80, loves to dance.
Whether in his native Peru, or back in Cleveland where he and wife Raquel also maintain a home, he is as well-renowned for circling the dance floor as he is for his infectious personality.
Angel came to his first physical therapy appointment in a wheelchair, holding his prosthetic leg.
He told the physical therapists he just wanted to dance with his wife again.
Read his story: https://t.co/OrP2xq9kPZ pic.twitter.com/pemDFDkR0U
— ClevelandClinicNews (@CleClinicNews) November 7, 2018
Often, at the Hispanic Senior Center, he and Raquel – who have been married for 43 years — will step nimbly through a romantic waltz, or even a traditional Peruvian huayno. It’s one of their favorite things to do, together.
“It is a way to show our love, to connect to each other,” explained Angel, through an interpreter. “We express our feelings through dancing and singing.”
And Angel wasn’t about to let the loss of his lower left leg, amputated in Peru last December due to complications from diabetes and infection, keep him and Raquel from their beloved pastime. Angel was originally outfitted with a poorly-fitting prosthesis. Since he studied engineering in his youth, he tried to craft a new one on his own.
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Still struggling when he and Raquel returned to Cleveland in February, Angel obtained a new, better-fitting prosthesis – and was referred to Cleveland Clinic Rehabilitation & Sports Therapy at Lakewood YMCA to learn how to use it.
Mary Yee, a physical therapy assistant who worked with Angel over the ensuing five months, fondly recalled his first visit: “Angel was in a wheelchair, holding his new leg. From the beginning, he told us he wanted to be able to dance again.”
Of course, Angel had to walk first before he could dance. During his twice-weekly visits, he never hesitated to do whatever Mary prescribed … and then some.
“He motivated us,” recalled Mary, who treated Angel alongside fellow therapist Christine Donaldson. “If we asked him to do an exercise 20 times, he would do 25. Angel always inspired us to help him get to the next level.”
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As Angel explained, he’s always had the willpower to overcome any obstacle – even learning how to walk, and dance again, at age 80: “No matter the adversity, you always have to try hard. To win.”
And the winning moment — for Angel, Raquel, Mary and other observers — occurred just a few months later. Armed with a recording of some of their favorite music, the Alpacas danced before a rapt and emotional audience. While a lack of flexibility in his ankle meant Angel couldn’t glide across the floor with his customary grace, his proud grin indicated that his months of hard work had paid off.
“He showed us he can dance again,” Mary remarked. “It’s so rewarding to see someone achieve their goals and be self-sufficient.”
Follow @CleClinicNews on Twitter for the latest stories on inspiring patients, medical innovation and breakthrough research.
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 81,000 employees worldwide are more than 5,743 salaried physicians and researchers, and 20,160 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,690-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, 276 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2023, there were 13.7 million outpatient encounters, 323,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 301,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 132 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at twitter.com/CleClinicNews. News and resources available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
Editor’s Note: Cleveland Clinic News Service is available to provide broadcast-quality interviews and B-roll upon request.
