7-Year-Old Boy With Cerebral Palsy Skateboards For The First Time With Help Of His Mom

Oct 25, 2019 by apost team

When Lau Patrón’s son João expressed an interest in skateboarding, she immediately started working on ways to make it possible. Because of João’s disability, she worked on creative ways to help him experience the thrill of skateboarding.

João Vicente is 7-years-old. Because of a stroke he suffered when he was 1, he developed cerebral palsy which limits his physical ability. His mother Lau tried several adaptations to make it possible for João to ride a skateboard as she wrote on a social media post. 

She tried letting João hold himself up on a walker while skateboarding, but that was unsuccessful. She tried holding her son while wearing electric skates, but that was also unsuccessful and somewhat dangerous.

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Her continued research finally led her to a device created by skating company. The device was designed by a physical therapist and a psychologist who wanted to give disabled people the chance to enjoy the exhilarating rush of skateboarding.

They designed a rolling metal frame that surrounds the skateboard, allowing the entire apparatus to be pushed at a high rate of speed.

The video of Lau pushing her son around on the adapted skateboard at a skateboard park went viral, and the joy they were both experiencing showed clearly on their faces. Lau says the experience meant so much to João and has given him a renewed sense of self-worth. Sometimes life’s simplest pleasures can lead to the biggest reward.

Send this heartwarming story of a mom making sure her disabled son can follow his dreams to someone you know who is always helping others reach for the stars.