Robert Florio

A standup comic with a rock star sensibility and insightfully charming personality has propelled himself as an amazing artist and inspiration. Robert's past experiences, one of which injured his spinal cord at the age of 14 diving into a swimming pool, has given a new outlook and a path to Robert's life. Robert Florio is like the Dane Cook of people in wheelchairs. At 27 years old he is a phenomenal artist and a computer game designer. Moving forward and not looking back is how Robert maintains a positive message. Robert has created a documentary called Robert Florio: A New Way to Live, completed in 2008, spanning the course of his life up on to the most recent present, where Robert's experience and passion for reaching out to others has led to a discovery in the videogame industry for people with disabilities. Robert received a scholarship to the game design conference in San Jose, California in 2006. Fair play and a chance for success for anyone no matter what their ability or disability is the driving power behind Robert's message. Robert has reached out to athletes by painting their realistic portraits expanding Robert's outreach grabbing the attention of the Baltimore Orioles former outfielder Jay Gibbons. Robert has captured the likeness of Cal Ripken Jr. , Ray Lewis, and Joe Flacco, of the Baltimore Ravens, including a ghostly remnant of Babe Ruth, and President Obama, just to name a few. Robert's story has received Emmy nomination recognition and Associated Press award in 2005. Robert graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in Game Art and Design. The art Institute awarded Robert with the first ever Dean's Merit Award upon graduation. Robert's lifelong mission to create success and motivation through videogames for those with a disability is a course in Robert's life that has impacted him tremendously and personally. Robert is one of twenty-two finalists out of 60,000 volunteers to be awarded during the development and creation of the Project Top-Secret videogame awarded in 2008. The game is developed by Acclaim Games and directed by David Perry. Robert's experience and insight is brought to the entertainment forefront when speaking and creating art spanning, history, science, art, health care, politics, religion, relationships, rock 'n roll, to say the least, and all comically delivered with the intention to inspire and motivate success. Robert is in the process of publishing his autobiography, illustrating a children's book, while recording his day-to-day life in the efforts to create another documentary in the near future.