On Super Saturday, March 15, many events will be happening on Melrose Avenue for the delight of children: jugglers, caricature artists, very large puppets, origami, a parade, peoplechase, a master paper-cutter, on and on.
And one very special person — Ricky Boone in his wheelchair performing magic under a pop-up tent in the upper parking lot near the Tryon Fine Arts Center during the morning hours.  While severely physically handicapped by a bone disorder, Ricky inspires his audiences by the mystifying misdirection of magic and comedy to make his wheelchair disappear – that is, become irrelevant in the minds of his viewers.
Ricky’s goal is to encourage youth to reach their full potential, to discover their own talents, and to help them focus on another’s ability rather than their disability.  As he says, life changes when people come to believe they can offer themselves as a substantial team contribution.  Perhaps they could sing, dance, tell jokes, paint, take photographs, or sell tickets.  “The magic begins when life transforms from isolation to involvement.”
Ricky has performed as a magician appearing on all three major television networks and winning numerous awards from the magic community. A documentary news broadcast of his life won two Emmy awards.  Ricky’s story shows how anything is possible if one is willing to strive.

– article submitted
by Connie Clark