Hope, Heroes, and Feats Of Humanity

By Chion Wolf,

Jessica Severin de Martinez, Catie Talarski

Published December 14, 2021 at 8:52 PM EST

1 of 6 — Lael Marie Saez (AKA Royale) is Hartford’s first Flow Artist, and Khaiim Kelly (AKA RapOet / Self-Suffice) is Hartford’s first Troubadour.

Connecticut Public crew films (l-r) Lael Marie Saez, Royael, a Flow Artist and Khaiim Kelly, City Troubadour for Cutline: Hope, Heroes, and Feats of Humanity on Nov. 12, 2021 at Real Art Ways in Hartford.

Julianne Varacchi/Connecticut Public / Connecticut Public

2 of 6 — Cutline: Hope, Heroes, and Feats of HumanityHost Chion Wolf interviews Lael Marie Saez, Royael, a Flow Artist, and Khaiim Kelly, City Troubadour for Cutline: Hope, Heroes, and Feats of Humanity on Nov. 12, 2021 at Real Art Ways in Hartford.

Host Chion Wolf interviews Lael Marie Saez, Royael, a Flow Artist, and Khaiim Kelly, City Troubadour for Cutline: Hope, Heroes, and Feats of Humanity on Nov. 12, 2021 at Real Art Ways in Hartford.

Julianne Varacchi/Connecticut Public / Connecticut Public

3 of 6 — Greg Whitehouse was paralyzed after COVID triggered an autoimmune disease – and then ran a grueling race months later.

Greg Whitehouse was paralyzed after COVID triggered an autoimmune disease – and then ran a grueling race months later.

Connecticut Public video screen grab

4 of 6 — Craig Wright, Chef & Owner, Craig’s Kitchen in Rockville, CT.

Craig Wright, Chef & Owner, Craig’s Kitchen in Rockville, CT.

Connecticut Public video screen grab

5 of 6 — Isabella Miller created Ellington’s first pride parade in 2021.

Isabella Miller created Ellington’s first pride parade in 2021.

Courtesy Miller Family

6 of 6 — Matthew Torres is a paralympic swimmer from Fairfield University who won a bronze medal in the 400 meter freestyle at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

Matthew Torres is a Paralympic swimmer from Fairfield University who won a bronze medal in the 400 meter freestyle at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

Connecticut Public video screen grab

2021 has been a year like no other. Many of us were out of our comfort zone because of what’s happening in the world. And some people stepped out even further.

Meet some people from Connecticut who’ve done bold, brave things - including a man who went from completely paralyzed to running a gauntlet, a young person who planned her town’s first pride parade, and Hartford’s first troubadour, and flow artist.

This episode is an edited version of Connecticut Public's CUTLINE, “Hope, Heroes, and feats of humanity”! Watch the entire episode here.

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GUESTS:

Greg Whitehouse was paralyzed after COVID triggered an autoimmune disease – and then ran a grueling race months later. He was joined by his wife, Sharon
Matthew Torres is a Paralympic swimmer from Fairfield University who won a bronze medal in the 400 meter freestyle at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. He was joined by his coach, Anthony Bruno
Craig Wright owns and operates Craig’s Kitchen in Rockville, CT
Isabella Miller created Ellington’s first pride parade in 2021. She was joined by her mother, Jenna
Khaiim Kelly (AKA RapOet / Self-Suffice) is Hartford’s first Troubadour
Lael Marie Saez (AKA Royael) is Hartford’s first Flow Artist

Jessica Severin de Martinez, Catie Talarski, Tim Rasmussen, Julianne Varacchi, Jessica Gonnella, Maegn Boone, Kevin Kuhl, Ryan Caron King, Mike Dunphy, Meghan Lyden, Andy Heavisides, Larry Roeming, Bradley O’Connor, John Gibson, Sam Hockaday and Ed Gonsalves contributed to this show.