5 Most Inspirational News Stories Of 2016

Launched back in the summer of 2015, Smirnoff’s ‘We’re Open’ campaign is back in 2016. With a firm focus on celebrating inclusivity, the campaign aims to illustrate the joy and opportunities that open up when we allow ourselves to experience new places and things, and look to work together in respect of differing race, ethnicity, gender, or any other diversity.

In the first video of 2016 seen above, Smirnoff feature Chris Fonseca, a deaf dancer teacher based in London. Since becoming interested in music at the relatively late age of 16, Chris has developed a great passion and flair for dancing. While he not able to hear the music in the same way as non deaf people, he is able to interpret it through the beats and vibrations which he feels through the floor and walls, and allows those rhythms to take over body and craft his moves. It is a truly innovative approach that gives him a relationship with music that is unique from others.

Working in the community, Chris aims to reach out to other deaf people and open up ways for them to enjoy and share in the pleasure of music and dance. Teaching them how to make contact with music in the same way he does, he enhances lives and shows that an inability to hear doesn’t mean an inability to succeed. He is a fantastic example of what people can achieve with drive and determination, and how those with disadvantages or disability are as capable as anybody else.

As part of the Smirnoff ‘We’re Open’ campaign Chris hosted a number of media and influencer dance workshops during May. To give people an insight in to how he experiences music, dancers were given the use of Subtac technology. This technology meant attendees were able had to interpret the beat without hearing the music, through a vibrating belt worn around their waste. Over two days it was Chris’ aim to raise as much awareness and give as much exposure to the dead dancing community as possible, and share his own enjoyment of music.

The guys over are Noisey wanted the Smirnoff 'We're Open' message of inclusion be heard by as many people as possible, and so set up a collaboration between Chris and dance crew Plague to produce a wonderfully choreographed display of expression and artistry. With Plague's own distinctive style, augmented by Chris' fantastic ability to feel the music around him , the result is an infectious and pulsating video which emblazons the talent of #deafdancers. Not only can you watch this video above, but Noisey have also made available fantastic behind the scenes footage which you can see in the making of video below.

Both the video and behind the scenes footage can also be watched over at Noisy.

Visit the Smirnoff Facebook page to learn more about the ‘We’re Open’ campaign, or head over to Twitter @SmirnoffEurope.

We at WhatCulture felt so moved and enthused by Chris’ story and Smirnoff's We're Open campaign that we decided to look at what other recent examples of inspiration and heroism we could find. Click ‘next’ to see 5 Most Inspiration News Stories Of 2016.

'Awwww!' - That's what you're already saying without even knowing the story, unless you're an emotional robot or diehard cat-lover. But while the dog is incredibly cute, the news itself makes it even better.

Daisy, the pup you see above, was found abandoned at just 7-weeks-old in the car park of Greyson Stadium, home of Coastal Plain League baseball team the Savannah Bananas. A staff member found her alone and crying, no collar or microchip, and now the Team President Jared Orton has adopted her, and she's been named the team's first ever Bat Dog.

She's currently too small to actually pick up a bat, so mostly just greets fans at the moment, but the hope is she will grow big enough to fully carry out her duties.

It was a horrible situation Daisy found herself in, and it's a lovely act of kindness from the Bananas to take her in.

Again: awwwwwww!