Aurita Maldonado

Aurita Maldonado is a US Army veteran, Purple Heart

recipient, and Afro Latin dance instructor who has danced

intimately with Death.

She served more than 8 years in the military including two

combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. After a 200lb IED

exploded directly under her vehicle and three rounds hit her

pack, she chose to simplify her life and follow her dreams.

She moved to Haines, Alaska to become a rafting guide ina

bald eagle preserve and face her PTSD while running through

the wilderness. In 2012, she contracted a severe case of rat

lungworm, which paralyzed her from the waist down, leaving

her in a wheelchair with neuropathy over her entire body.

Aurita was told she wouldn’t walk again, but they misjudged

her determination. Her inspirational recovery is featured on

Animal Planet’s show: Monsters Inside Me: Season 5 Episode

1.

In 2017 Aurita moved to the 24-mile island of Vieques, Puerto

Rico to teach salsa, but Hurricane Maria hit and shifted her

focus to survival. She was pregnant with no electricity, water,

nor communication. Her story was featured in the

documentary, Broken Worlds: The Island (Vieques).

Her story was also featured in CNN Special Reports “Storm of

Controversy: What Really Happened in Puerto Rico,” hosted by

Bill Weir, a year after Hurricane Maria.

Today she continues to reside in Vieques with her 2 children.

She lost their father to a heart attack, but continued their

dream and runs an organic farm, La Finca Infinidad. She is the

director of Tropical Storm Dance Co. and teaches salsa,

bachata, Zumba, and Latin Fusion Aerobics... All with a side of

inspiration.

You can contact or connect with Aurita Maldonado at:

Instagram: @Hurricanelnspired

Facebook: facebook.com/HurricaneRita2

Email: TheZenofDance@gmail.com