Robert Florio

Robert Florio is like the Dane Cook of people in wheelchairs.  A standup comic with a rock star sensibility and insightfully charming personality, Robert 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, have given him a special outlook and a unique path to his life. At 27 years old he is a phenomenal artist and a computer game designer. Moving forward and not looking back is how Robert maintains such 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 to that time. Robert's story has received Emmy nomination recognition and an Associated Press award in 2005. His experiences and passion for reaching out to others has led to major discoveries in the videogame industry for people with disabilities.

Robert received a scholarship to the Game Developers 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, grabbing the attention of the former Baltimore Orioles outfielder Jay Gibbons. Robert has captured the likenesses of Oriole great Cal Ripken Jr., Ray Lewis, and Joe Flacco, of the Baltimore Ravens, created a ghostly remnant of Babe Ruth, and portrait of President Obama, just to name a few.

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 has been developed by Acclaim Games and directed by David Perry.

Robert's experience and insight into entertainment is brought to the forefront when speaking and creating art spanning, history, science, art, health care, politics, religion, relationships, and rock 'n roll -- all comically delivered to successfully inspire and motivate. 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.