Moving his disability out of the way

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WPRI) - Dennis Harvey’s doctor was very direct.

“He said I was too fat,” Harvey said with a big grin that he shines for all to see about a hundred times a day.

He tells us some people call him ‘Dennis the Menace’ but you might call him ‘Dennis the Dervish’ or a ‘Whirling Dennis’ after watching him lead one of his Bee In Motion classes.  

In the middle of the ear-splitting commotion, there’s 24 year old Dennis, singing, dancing and leading people with various disabilities from all over the state. Walkers, braces and even wheelchairs do not seem to get in the way as the group participates with tambourines, drums and even a parachute.

But five years ago, Harvey’s body was even bigger than his big voice. He was 80 pounds north of what he weighs now. So, his doctor said, lose it.

“And I need to lose weight. And I need to encourage other people. So, basically, I saw a need,” Harvey said.

What is not obvious from talking with the North Kingstown entrepreneur is that he is autistic.

“High performing,” his social worker Edie Giles said. “He’s definitely high performing.”

When Harvey started losing weight he realized he could also help others who might not get the exercise they need.

“Automatically something clicked. People with disabilities have a voice. They have to be able to use that voice. So I said, aha!" he said, aiming his his pointer finger in the air.

That electric smile returned as he remembered his ‘aha’ moment and how he developed his idea into his own company. Bee In Motion does exactly what it says. An Occupational Therapist said the class is good for brain chemistry and the heart. One look at the sweaty but smiling faces and you know it's also a lot of fun.

“I saw an opportunity. I'm a relentless person. I'm like a stubborn mule. You can't tell me not to do something. I'm going to do it.”

He added that ‘so many people’ told him he couldn’t do it. And moments before he conducted a class in Woonsocket we asked him if some wonder whether or not he is even autistic.

“Yes. I am definitely autistic. I may be not normal but I have a disability. I hide it. I just love people. I love people.”

This whirling Dennis does 8 classes a week but he wants to do more. Go ahead and try to tell him he can't. He’s used to proving skeptics wrong.

Send your news tips to Walt Buteau at wbuteau@wpri.com and follow Walt on Twitter: @wbuteau