Artistic director gives gunshot victim a life chance
Letter to the editor
By Mimi Cirio (mother of Lia and Jeffrey Cirio)

I just wanted to give you an outsider's perspective of LifeChance. By way of background, my son, Jeffrey Cirio, and I met Radenko at the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Miss. in 2006. Jeff was a competitor. Radenko was very encouraging to Jeff, as Jeff was the youngest competitor there. We talked a bit about Jeff's future, and Radenko always offered guidance and suggestions.

Jeff was invited to perform at the LifeChance Gala last year. He was thrilled with the opportunity to perform classical variations on the stage and thrilled to renew friendships with some of the dancers from Jackson. We quickly discovered what a wonderful event LifeChance is. I'm not sure the people of Columbia realize the work and effort that goes into this. So many people come together to make this happen, and I believe, it is the highlight of the ballet season in Columbia. This is a chance for people to see great ballet, but, in addition, it is a chance for the dancers to "give back" just a little.

Jeffrey could not wait to come back this year, and was so happy his sister, Lia, was also invited to dance. She, too, quickly discovered the people involved in this event are just great people. But, for one person, this event meant much, much more. I don't even think Radenko knows this.

Sam Shapiro, who danced with my daughter, Lia, was especially grateful for the chance to dance in this Gala. In September of 2006, Sam was shot on the streets of Boston. He had been there only three weeks. Sam graduated from Royal Ballet School with honors. He was thrilled to have a job in Boston Ballet II, the apprenticeship arm of Boston Ballet.

But the night Sam was shot changed everything. Fortunately, Sam was close to Lia's apartment (he had just dropped her off), and my husband and I were staying with Lia at the time. We called 911, and my husband kept pressure on Sam's abdomen and tried to keep Sam conscious.

Sam underwent a six- hour surgery to remove the bullet which took his kidney and knicked his liver. It took about eight weeks for him to recover physically and get back to the studios, but it has taken a long, long time mentally and emotionally to make a comeback.

Lia, knowing Sam would probably not get the chance to do a pas de deux with Boston for a long time (if ever), invited Sam to be her partner for the LifeChance Gala. She could have asked another soloist or principal, but Sam is her boyfriend, and she believes in him as a dancer.

Sam, who has been given very little opportunity here in Boston, was given the opportunity by Radenko and the LifeChance Gala to prove to himself that he can still dance, that he is capable.

So, not only does Life Chance give to the Ronald McDonald House, a wonderful cause, it gives opportunities to dancers. And this year, it gave one dancer a needed boost, an opportunity of a lifetime, a "life chance" really.

I can't tell you how grateful as a mother I am for this event. I love coming and visiting with Radenko and Gayle Levine each year. I love seeing all the great dancers and people who support this event. And, I love that Radenko has given my children an opportunity to dance and to give back a little.

I just wanted to share that with you and thank you and your newspaper for supporting this event and this company. I hope I get to meet you next year because I will definitely be there, God willing.