“Handi-able” Olympian, Athlete, Coach, Mentor, and Friend
Louis Riccardi is a lifelong Nutley resident born to Jane and Louis Riccardi on September 15, 1989. Louis was born with Spina Bifida, a condition where the spinal cord never fully develops. From day one he had to overcome challenges of life. On this day he had to go through multi-hour surgery with no clue of what the future would bring. As it turns out he overcame the surgery growing up happily with his family (mom, dad, and two brothers) in addition to many family and friends support. As this was only the beginning of what was to come.
In the early years, growing up with a disability Louis learned very quickly to overcome. His family and friends never treated him as handicapped but as Louis liked to call it “Handi-able.” Starting his school career at Radcliff Elementary School, from a little boy walking on crutches through the halls of school, his personality made people smile. In school he had to learn to keep up. Louis made many of Friends along the way. One thing he had to do was keep up with able bodies. It was always a struggle for him as he was diagnosed with a learning disability as well as his physical. This never stopped him though. It made him work harder to do what everyone else was doing.
Upon entering junior high at John H. Walker Middle School another challenge came upon him. He became sick spending most of his junior high years in a hospital bed. The support of the town helped him overcome another obstacle in life. Some may think being in a hospital would be depressing but not for Louis. This is where doors opened for someone with a disability. He met with disabled athletes, something he did not know about. Once medically cleared, he joined Children’s Specialized Hospital Lightning Wheels, a New Jersey based track and field team. He learned to compete in field events, swimming, and archery to name a few. Being highly competitive he set goals to win. Louis competed at high levels representing the USA as a junior disabled Olympian. Louis in South Africa won a total of ten medals for the USA.
Continuing to strive as an athlete, Louis joined the NJ Youth Devils Sled Hockey Team. Sled hockey is just like hockey but on a sled. Louis has been competing and coaching still to this day. Also from the Lightning Wheels, Louis became involved in helping with an organization that raises money for handicap scuba diving. Stay Focused is not just the name of the organization but a way of life. While helping out, he was able to scuba dive 86 feet with sharks in Grand Cayman Islands.
During his years at Nutley High school, he was a four-year letterman in Track and Field and a state record holder in shot put, discus, and javelin. He held this record for many years until losing it about five years ago to someone he mentored in the sport. Throughout high school Louis became a mentor with Dare to Dream. This organization teaches students to never give up so they can become successful with any disability and strive for independence. After graduating Nutley High School in 2008, and continuing his education at Essex Community College, Louis achieved an associate degree in 2012.
From his competitive and positive attitude, he won the Safari Club International Pathfinder Award. This national award is for individuals who advocate for themselves as well as others.
Louis is currently employed by RWJ Barnabas as a security aid and continues to help in the community with Dare to Dream, as sled hockey coach and player, a mentor, and a friend to those that need his help. Today, Louis enjoys playing hockey and working on his black belt in Taekwondo. His passions include the outdoors, horseback riding, fishing, kayaking, water skiing, target shooting, and working out. Even during a pandemic in 2020, Louis decided to jump out of a perfectly good airplane skydiving with his friends. A lifelong dream.
For someone in a wheelchair Louis never lets anything stop him. A lesson for anyone that thinks they are not capable of doing something they are wrong. Being “Handi-abled” is not just a saying but a motto. Never giving up and overcoming any challenge makes Louis special. His positive attitude has never let his disability stop him since day one. Louis has accomplished many things in the past but is sure to accomplish many more by giving back to a community that has helped him overcome.