Bio

Tommy Guns Ly © 2012

Tommy “Guns” Ly aka Bboy Tommyguns(Chinese Vietnamese American) is a Cancer Survivor, above the knee amputee, professional dancer (bboy/breakdancer) and a motivational speaker.
Born in California. Siblings: Tony “Styles” Ly, Jenny Ly. Married to Lino Kurihara Ly.

Early Life
Born September 17. His mother past of breast cancer when he was 2 years old. Soon after, he was put into the Foster Care by Social Services when he was 5 years old.

Breakdancing: Dreams to Battle
While moving from foster home to foster home, Tommy discovered dancing at age 16. The dance brought positivity and new culture to his life, which until then was mostly full of disappointments. Tommy started his own crew, Undefined Styles, with friends in Turlock, California. The founding members were Tommy Ly, Johnie Green, Victor Martinez, and Jesse Castro. After seeing VHS tapes of other break-dancers battling overseas he would practice vigorously with the hopes of battling(competing) overseas as well.

A Battle with Cancer and a Life Changing Decision
A few months after his 18th birthday, he was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a malignant bone tumor in his tibia of his right leg. Tommy battled cancer for about 6 months with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy was only able to shrink the tumor. Doctors gave Tommy a choice that would change his life. He had to make a decision to amputate his leg or try other methods to
save his leg. Trying to save it would result with limited or no use of his leg because the tumor was located next to vital nerves. Saving his leg would conclude in a life without dancing because he would no longer be able to participate in high impact physical activities. Doctors explained, if he amputates, he would still have complete mobility with prosthetics. Tommy decided to amputate because of his passion for breakdancing and
he could not let go of his dream to battle internationally.

Life After Cancer: Living a Dream
Tommy continues to dance to this day. In 2005, he was officially a member of the legendary crew, Renegade Rockers(EST. 1983). The Renegade Rockers are world-famous with renowned members such as Jazzy Jay, Wicket, Iron Monkey, Roxrite, Kid David, Tony Styles, Bboy Finesse, Naytron, Politix, Blueboy, just to name a few. Tommy is part of ILL-Abilities. Tommy is now fulfilling his dream to battle internationally. After his decision of amputation, he has been invited to France, Japan, Canada, Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, Holland, Hong Kong, Ireland, and UK. Some Performances: KRS-1(Concert), NBA Goldenstate Warriors(Halftime Shows), San Francisco International Hip-Hop Dance Fest(Theatre Show), Smithsonian(Theatre performance, Speaker, Washington DC), 24 hour TV(Television performance, Japan), Hong Kong(Television Performance, RTHK), John F. Kennedy Center(Speaker, Theatre Performance, Washington, DC), Sadler’s Wells Breakin’ Convention Tour(London, UK), Make A Move Festival(Ireland). Tommy’s career as a professional Bboy has just begun. Tommy is now a motivational speaker. Tommy speaks about his success in dance after amputation of his right leg, life as a Cancer Survivor, and about how nothing can stop you from living your dreams.