Alternatives in Motion is part of Tap Shoe Productions, named
thus because, Johnnie Tuitel claims, the only thing he can't do is
tap dance. The company also includes Tuitel's public speaking
business and the Gun Lake Adventure Series, a book series for
elementary and middle school students.
Co-written by Tuitel and Sharon Lamson, the books feature an
11-year-old main character (Johnnie) who has cerebral palsy and
uses a wheelchair. Johnnie's adventures are “fiction wrapped
around true things that have happened to Johnnie (Tuitel),”
explains George Ranville, vice president and general manager of Tap
Shoe Productions and executive director of Alternatives in
Motion.
Ranville and Tuitel hit on the idea of the children's books
after noticing how responsive kids are to Tuitel's speeches —
middle school students are fond of giving Johnnie a standing
ovation.
“Disability is a natural part of human existence. We want
to convey the message that life is hard, challenging and sometimes
hurts, but sometimes your life [as an abled person] is hard,
difficult and hurts,” Tuitel says.
Despite keeping busy with the other components of Tap Shoe,
Tuitel's first love remains motivational speaking. “I am an
expert in disabilities, but I am also an entertainer,” he
says.
