During his first few days preparing for the reality dance competition, DiMarco was accidentally struck in the face by his partner Peta Murgatroyd, the model's rep confirms to PEOPLE. And, judge Bruno Tonioli could not believe his eyes.

"You could be America's Next Top Dancer".

Representatives tell the mag that the 26-year-old didn't realize he had been hit until he started bleeding.

Like actress Marlee Matlin, who played the intrepid political strategist Joey Lucas in The West Wing and who also can not hear, DiMarco hopes to use his elevated status to dispel misconceptions about the deaf community.

Dancing with the Stars returns next Monday at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Girl, 6, removed from California foster home
However, the Indian Child Welfare Act caused authorities to seize the child, with plans to place her with relatives in Utah. The Santa Clarita, California, foster child was removed from her birth mother's custody when she was just 17-months-old.

"If I made a fool out of myself I think the world would have that negative perception that a deaf person can't dance, and it's important for me to do so well so that I can preach to the world that deaf people can do anything".

Paired off with Peta Muratroyd, they danced the Cha Cha to "Cake By The Ocean" by DNCE on last night's show (March 21), earning rave reviews. I will CONTINUE TO MAKE NOISE!! He says he keeps rhythm by paying close attention to Murgatroyd's.

So far, his journey in the show has been encouraging wherein he is tied for the first place with a score of 23 (out of 30).

"I'm surprising myself that I actually can dance".


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