‘Dancing With the Stars’ 2015: Why Noah Galloway Won’t Use Prosthetic Arm for Argentine Tango
Disabled veteran Noah Galloway will take on the tango on ‘DWTS.'
— -- Disabled U.S. Army veteran Noah Galloway’s participation on season 20 of “Dancing With the Stars” has served to inspire viewers and the show’s cast.
After a stressful week of rehearsals, Galloway, 33, considered using a prosthetic arm for tonight's show, during which he and pro partner Sharna Burgess are scheduled to perform an Argentine tango -- a dance requiring dexterity and featuring dramatic sweeping movements, leg hooks and rapid turns.
Galloway lost his left leg above the knee and his left arm above the elbow in an explosion during his second tour of duty in Iraq, so dancing presents a challenge. He revealed that he considered using a prosthetic arm in his upcoming performance, and even practiced with one before deciding to forgo it.
Galloway explained that, since he hadn’t worn an arm previously, he needed to get used to the technology.
“This isn't the week we should use it. I need more time with the arm," he said in an interview with "GMA" correspondent Cameron Mathison.
Added Burgess: "It's been a really stressful week with it -- for both of us - in not having the arm in the beginning and trying to imagine what it would do, and then when we get the arm, discovering it's really not that easy to just put on an arm and go."
Since the season premiere on March 16, Galloway’s performances have left judges, viewers and Galloway’s fellow contestants moved. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba was brought to tears by Galloway’s week one cha-cha, which earned him a standing ovation from the ballroom audience.
His three children, too, are cheering him on. Galloway explained that he’s “not a dancer” so his children had never seen him dance before.
He recalled a conversation with his 7-year-old son.
“When we got done talking, I said, 'Buddy, I’ve got to go, I’ve got to go dance!' And he laughed and laughed. I said, 'Did you ever think you'd hear Dad say that'? He said ‘No, I've never heard you say that.' And he just thinks it's so cool," Galloway said.
Galloway is a motivational speaker and personal trainer.
Asked under what circumstances he believed people needed the most motivation, he replied: "To push themselves. Bad things happen. You know, we all have those moments where we get knocked down. And, you can't quit. It’s the worst decision you can make. Whatever happens, you push through and you come out the other side. And, it's worth it."
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