The third annual Show Your Shine gala takes place in just 10 days, giving everyday amputees a chance to strut their stuff on the fashion runway. This year’s roster of participants is the biggest and most diverse yet, featuring more than two dozen folks from all over the country. The festivities take place next Saturday, January 21, at the Sands Atlantic Beach Hotel just outside New York City. As always, the proceeds benefit the Limb Kind Foundation, an international nonprofit that brings prosthetic care, mentorship, and smiles to amputee kids in the US, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. General admission tickets are $100 for adults, $50 for kids.
If you can’t attend in person, you can still make a donation to this worthy cause. And you can (and definitely should) learn about the shine that this year’s models are bringing to the show. We’ve focused on the adults here, but quite a number of the participants are kids; you can meet many of them at Show Your Shine’s Instagram page at @showyourshine2023.
Billy Davis
He’s a realtor, triathlete, master fitness trainer, cheeseburger evangelist, XR pioneer, podcaster, and one of New York City’s biggest and most steadfast fundraisers for the limb-loss community. And finally, at long last, this dude is a runway model. “Billy’s energy is contagious, he has the best smile on the planet, and his laugh can brighten your entire day,” gush Show Your Shine’s hosts. Meet Davis on Instagram at @realestatetriathlete.
Pat Filosa
Despite the fact that he’s a diehard Mets fan (and even has a prosthetic socket that bears the hateful team’s logo), Filosa seems like a pretty nice guy. More than “pretty nice,” actually; he’s a true hero to amputee kids in greater New York and beyond. In addition to raising thousands for Camp No Limits over the years, Filosa supports a variety of adaptive sports causes and is a former player for the Amp1 Standup Basketball squad. Follow him at @patty1leg26.
Norma Trujillo
She lost both legs above the knee while providing roadside assistance to a stranded motorist. But rather than become embittered, Trujillo has kept right on rendering aid to others. She’s a fixture at Hanger’s annual Empowerfest and BAKA Boot Camp events, holds Peer Visitor certification through the Amputee Coalition, and is a Lead Advocate in her home state of Arizona. Trujillo’s also an enthusiastic participant in all kinds of limb-loss fundraisers, from golf tournaments to handcycle races and, now, runway shows. She’s a painter, too; check out some of her art at her Facebook page.
TreNuBB
How did we not know about this guy before now? Apparently we’re not watching enough TikTok; NuBB’s got 2.6 million followers on that platform, to go along with 260K on Instagram and who knows how many more on YouTube, Apple Music, and Twitch. The multitalented digital creator and public speaker is funny, passionate, and unflinchingly real about limb loss and a host of other subjects. You can call this congenital triple amputee TreNuBBs, Mr. Handi-cape-able, or Mr. DoItWithNoHands; just don’t miss his act. Follow on TikTok at @TreNuBB23 or on Instagram at @trenubb.
Daijonee Vanderveer
You want to talk about resilience? Vanderveer was walking around on her God-given legs until just over two months ago, raising her kid and earning a living as an artist, podcaster, and digital creator. She stopped on the side of the road to fix a flat one night in early November; next thing she knows, she’s waking up in the hospital as a bilateral AKA. Vanderveer didn’t make it back home until a few days before Christmas. But she’s no stranger to the spotlight, and the Show Your Shine affair fits her personality to a tee. Check out her Instagram store page at @cocoa_kawaii and her Etsy page at CocoaKawaii.