Introducing Enrico (quadriplegic, Italy) is a draftsman, artist, athlete, president of the Skarrozzata and a great defender of human rights and environmental sustainability. With a C4-C5 spinal injury since 2009, this Bologna native hasn't stopped believing or fighting for the rights of people with disabilities for one second.
During his long time in hospital, Enrico delved into the world of painting thanks to his great friend and artist Alexander Berger. Now he's become a great painter and has had several exhibitions and shows. Plus, he's brought painting as a therapy to several schools and hospitals.
His work includes "disegni", "SurfArt" and "radiografie", his latest piece. It's a series of x-rays of his body, on which he draws animals with acrylic paint. His favourite is "flying flamingo", but you can learn more about his art on his website Enrico Ercolani.
«Enrico: draftsman, artist, athlete, president of the Skarrozzata and a great defender of human rights and environmental sustainability.»
Inside the box of surprises that is Enrico, we find that he is the president of Skarrozzata in Bologna, a cultural movement that started in 2011 and allows the general public to use several wheelchairs so they can experience disability first hand. The main aim of this event is to raise awareness in society of the numerous architectural barriers people with reduced mobility face every day.
Last year, part of the International Batec Team went to Bologna to participate in Skarrozzata 2015 with Ottobock, the Italian distributor of our handbikes. A gratifying, fun and positive experience, where we witnessed the warm welcome the event has among the public. You can read all about the experience in the article "Get your chairs ready and shine those wheels. Who dares try out a disability?" This year it will take place on 21 May and, if you have the chance, you really shouldn't miss it ;-)
«Skarrozzata in Bolonia allows the general public to use several wheelchairs so they can experience disability first hand.»
Enrico skated, surfed, snowboarded and cycled before his fall. He hasn't given up his passion for sport, but now leans towards others that are easier with his injury, such as swimming, flying kites and handbike running. This Christmas he got his BATEC QUAD HYBRID handbike and the odometer already reads... more than 300 kilometres! "It's an excellent product for people with quadriplegia," says Enrico. "I use it to go out with my friends, to go to work and to stay in shape and get out in nature." And Enrico has always been a great defender of the environment, so he loves getting out into the city and the hills around Bologna with his handbike and "being part of a new chapter in the history of sustainable mobility."
«Enrico loves getting out into the city and the hills around Bologna with his handbike and "being part of a new chapter in the history of sustainable mobility.»