Ezra Frech is making headlines on Dancing With the Stars Season 35, proving that a physical disability does not have to stand in the way of achieving big dreams. The 21-year-old Paralympic champion has impressed viewers with his dancing alongside professional partner Daniella Karagach, while also sharing his personal journey as an amputee.

Frech was born with a congenital limb difference that affected his left leg and left hand. He was missing most of his left leg and had only one finger on his left hand, challenges that required medical treatment from an early age.

When Frech was just 11 months old, he received his first prosthetic leg. At age two, he underwent a 15-hour operation to amputate the lower portion of his left leg that was not functioning properly. The procedure allowed him to use a prosthetic more comfortably.

During the same surgery, doctors transplanted one of his toes to his left hand to give him a second finger. The procedure helped improve his ability to grip and hold objects.

Frech later discussed the emotional impact of his early medical experiences on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast, describing the period as “a lot of emotional turmoil.”

Despite these challenges, Frech went on to build an impressive athletic career. He competed at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at just 16 years old, becoming the youngest member of the U.S. Paralympic team. At the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, he won two gold medals in the T63 high jump and the T63 100-meter sprint.

Now, Frech is taking on a very different challenge in the ballroom. Paired with Karagach on Dancing With the Stars, he has continued to demonstrate how he adapts his movements while dancing with a prosthetic leg.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Frech explained that his running blade gives him greater freedom of movement across the floor. Switching to his everyday walking prosthesis, however, makes dancing more difficult.

“When I’m in my running blade, my ability to travel and move around the floor is great. When I put on my walking leg, that gets reduced by, like, 50%,” he explained.

Frech admitted that the difference initially affected his confidence and made him feel less comfortable as a dancer. Nevertheless, he has embraced the opportunity to learn a new skill with the support of Karagach, whom he praised as one of the greatest dancers in the world.

For Frech, competing on the show is about more than learning choreography and earning judges’ scores. When the Season 35 cast was announced, he explained that he wanted to use the platform to change how people view disability.

“I genuinely believe my purpose on this Earth is to normalize disability, be an example of what’s possible as an amputee,” he said.

His journey on Dancing With the Stars reflects that mission, as he continues to challenge expectations while navigating the physical demands of ballroom dancing.

Away from rehearsals, Frech has also developed friendships with his fellow contestants, recently sharing a photo of himself enjoying lunch with Connor Wood and Guillermo Rodriguez.

From winning Paralympic gold medals to performing live on national television, Frech has built a career around pushing his limits. His story on Dancing With the Stars is another opportunity to show audiences what he can accomplish while raising awareness about living with a limb difference.