As Eurovision gears up for another explosive show, we take you back to last year when Ottobock community users shined in the limelight performing on stage with Sam Ryder and Roger Taylor.
Buckle up as the Eurovision Glitz and Glamour extravaganza is set to light up our TV screens! Countries are gearing up to compete and sing their hearts out in Sweden to be crowned this year's Eurovision champion. Amidst the excitement, let's take a moment to reminisce about our unforgettable journey representing global disability communities for our participation on stage performing with Sam Ryder and legendary Roger Taylor at last year's Eurovision contest in Liverpool 2023.
It's incredible how time flies; although it's been just a year, the memories feel like a distant yet magical dream - one of those dreams you wish never ended! As a group of uniquely empowering individuals (amputees, people with limb differences, and a wheelchair user), we were ecstatic to be invited by Ottobock for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join Sam in performing his heartfelt song 'Mountain.' These powerful lyrics are a tribute to the remarkable stories of resilience and triumph in overcoming challenges we all face as people living with a disability. Sam was passionate about our community, the source of his inspiration, to stand alongside him on stage and be celebrated and represented.
The performance was monumental and required weeks of fun and rigorous training. Some of us, including myself, were not natural performers and had to start from square one, find our drum rhythm, learn our routines, and navigate live TV's tight timelines. It was a whirlwind; I've never seen so many people running and changing sets at such a rapid pace. It was chaotic but incredibly thrilling simultaneously, with everyone - TV presenters, artists, performers, and crew members all sharing the same backstage areas, running to and from rehearsals and the stage. Sam attended and watched our practice sessions, embracing us as part of the 'Mountain' narrative. He spent time with each of us, listening to our stories and gaining a deeper insight into the physical and mental boundaries impacting people's lives in our community.
The most unforgettable moment was entering the arena, experiencing the electric atmosphere of the crowds, and getting a small taste of what it feels like to be a superstar. It was a special and unique moment that created memories that will last a lifetime.
"I am a mountain, and down in the valley below is all that I've overcome." This lyric from Sam Ryder's song 'Mountain' says it all. Thank you, Sam, for such an empowering song and for sharing your platform to raise awareness for limb loss and disabled communities, including everyone overcoming challenges. We are all an unstoppable force of nature.