He was not supposed to live beyond the age of eight.
Now the four-time Canadian national hip-hop champion and cystic fibrosis survivor is setting his sights on the World Hip Hop Championships.
Maple Ridge professional hip-hop dancer Ryan Morrissette has made entertainment headlines before with his successful dance career.
In 2012, he was part of the CityTV talent show Canada’s Got Talent finals. Morrissette and his eight-member hip hop crew Freshh performed in the competition, which some say paved the way for their domination at the World Hip Hop Dance Championship, held in early August in Las Vegas.
Coached by choreographer Cezar Tantoco, who has been dancing since 1984, Freshh, a team comprised of dancers from around Metro Vancouver, took home gold in the event that brought together dance crews from nearly 50 countries to compete in four divisions.
Morrissette’s latest conquest involves raising funds for the international hip-hop competition happening in September in Bochum, Germany. Selected by the Canadian National Dance Team to represent Canada as the team’s assistant captain, Morrissette has to raise enough funds to cover travel, accommodation, a Team Canada jacket, choreography, coaches and entrance fees.
“Auditions for the Canadian National Dance Team brought some of the best dancers from across Canada, vying for a position on the team to represent Canada at the World level,” said Bonnie Dyer, National Dance Director for Team Canada.
Since the age of two, Morrissette has been battling the inherited and fatal lung disease, which causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive tract.
“Physical activity is good for it,” said Morrissette. “Cardio opens up your lungs. It makes you have to breathe big,” he told The News in a previous interview.