Michael Fattaruso
Michael Fattaruso
Michael has dedicated his life to making a difference in both land and sea. Working at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as an animal and conservation educator, Michael braves the Florida heat to spread his enthusiasm for wildlife conservation with park guests. His role involves educating guests observing the animal habitats about the importance of connecting with nature and motivating them to take action in their communities.
Michael’s journey to this point has been anything but conventional. In February 2010, while assisting a friend with tree cutting, a tragic accident resulted in a severe spinal injury. A tree fell on him, causing a T12/L1 spinal cord injury resulting in paraplegia. The incident was life-altering, but Michael’s resilience shone through. Despite the severity of his injury, he defied expectations, leaving patient rehab in under eight weeks and regaining his independence in less than 15 months. His determination also led him to participate in adaptive sports such as wheelchair basketball, rock climbing, surfing, cycling, tennis, and wheelchair motocross (WCMX). Michael has also competed with teams like the Possibilities Rolling Bears in California.
Michael’s personal life has been equally fulfilling. He met his wife at a WCMX event in Venice Beach, California. Together, they relocated to Florida, where they both work for Disney. In addition to his conservation efforts at the park, Michael has been instrumental in pushing for initiatives that enhance accessibility and inclusion. He played a key role in developing an adaptable canoe seat, enabling individuals with disabilities to join the park’s rowing team, and is actively involved in organizing an expo to showcase the company’s efforts to support the disability community.
Michael first became interested in scuba diving when a friend told him about scuba diving in underwater caves in Florida’s freshwater springs. It wasn’t until a few years later, however, when his friend Jessica Lynne told him about her adventures with shark conservation that Michael really began to consider how to get involved with scuba diving. Several months later, he met a fellow paraplegic in the park wearing a Dive Pirates hat, struck up a conversation, and signed up with Dive Pirates the next day!
Michael’s dive buddy will be his friend and coworker, Jessica Lynne, and he will be trained by ______ in Florida. Together, they will be able to make a difference by participating in the study and restoration of coral reefs, helping to secure the future of the species that depend on these environments to thrive!