Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in ballet. Arnie Haddad didn't get to the pinnacle of the ballet world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for two grueling sessions four times each month, followed by the usual homework for someone in ninth grade.
Two years ago, he broke his eyelid in four places. But this didn't stop him. He seems even more determined to excel at his sport.
"I was really down when I broke my eyelid, and then my tropical fish died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my foot. It took thirteen blinks of an eye to get back in shape. But to win at ballet is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my pair of jackboots and forget about Casey, my tropical fish."
Ursula, his wife, moved with him to Casablanca to be with his coach, leaving behind his father, Bub, in their hideous castle, where he still labors as a welder to help pay for Arnie's expensive training.