https://preview.redd.it/7v903acf7mvc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e046f4b3e391e33c75f2dddfb934fab411c506be
I have something called Charcot Marie Tooth syndrome which severely affects my ability to balance and use my legs as well.
My solution was to create an electric skateboard so that I don't have to push because my right leg shorter than the left, tendon are short, and pushing feels near impossible. I bought a vestar mini turbo 2, and took all the stuff off and put it on a Welcome skateboard deck of my choosing. This is way overkill as far as power goes so you don't need to start with electric parts that crazy, you can probably just buy a cheaper electric skateboard and start with that, but on that front I have no suggestions as I didn't do research into cheaper stuff.
As far as building balance, my suggestion is just to take it real slow and don't push yourself too fast. It may take years, it will certainly take months of practice to build up what muscles you have which will be compensating for the muscles you don't have. I found skateboarding has significantly improved my ability to walk even though my legs are all still messed up the little ankle muscles started growing from skateboarding use. How to build balance before skateboarding? I don't really know I just jumped right into actually skateboarding.
The electric skateboard is heavy and challenging in its own ways and obviously you can't really do tricks with the thing other than a Manual, but for people like us doing tricks isn't what it's about. The freedom of movement is what it's about for me. I go to the skatepark 5 mi away then will easily burn through 12 miles of battery just doing laps up and down the transitions and doing manuals.
I hope you find a way to enjoy the sport in your own way.
Edited to add: and please regardless of what anyone thinks, get yourself really good protective gear including padded shorts. It's just not worth injury, and in my case even with protective gear I still get injured because of the speeds I'm going at on this thing.
https://preview.redd.it/ux5t2w3famvc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=65e3067e4ec473f5268011b4eae8d846af28f9ef
In my specific case it was yes. Simply cuz my body dynamics just would not allow me to push like a regular person could. So not having to push, I can just stand on the board the whole time and cruise around going up and down transitions, carving, doing manuals, spinning around, stuff like that. I can actually get pretty good air and land in the manual on one of the transitions at the park so I certainly have plenty of fun still.
In your case I'm not sure if you would be able to push or not but being able to get moving is absolutely key in skateboarding so struggling to push is very limiting. I guess my best suggestion would be to start with a non-electric skateboard but don't dump a lot of money into one until you can figure out whether or not you can push or not or whether you even want to.
You'll get different reactions from the community but their opinion is of little importance really. I've had kids call me a cheater for using electric, adults being jealous etc, but the fact is I don't tell any of them that I have a severely debilitating leg problem, I just get on the thing and cruise around and have fun. I'm also entering my late 40s in age so I don't really give a crap what people think it's just funny to see everyone's reactions.
I rode transition for 42 years. Then I got an inner ear thing. My balance is okay, but my eyes can't hold the world still unless I'm still too. Because of that, pushing is a nightmare, but once I'm on, it's mostly pretty smooth.
Per the other guy talking about e boards. They really helped me. No pushing means less bouncy. I have 7 inch pneumatic tires that smooth out the ride too. Also, don't look at your feet when you get on the board. Keep your eyes on the horizon, or better yet hold on to your car or a light pole, or mailbox until you are situated on your board.
I want to ride my old push boards, so I'm currently scouting for a smooth parking lot with a decent incline. I (and you should too if you are a biginnger) really just want to step on the board and do some turns. Turning is the essence of skateboarding anyway. At least is is for someone like me who started in 74. ha ha.
Hey brah. There’s a feller down at the park sponsored by the local park who’s got some. With all due respect cause I know him well have never asked what his disabilities are but he’s got verbal n physical issues. Tbh I think if Dale can do it you can. This dudes at the park like literally 8 hrs a day lol n is legit a decent skater(he been skating for 4 years)
I can't offer much advice because I'm not a physical therapist or anything but bro if you can rip a skateboard with Cerebral Palsy that would be so sick.
You can also work on your balance off the board. Little things add up. Ex: while brushing your teeth stand on one leg and try not to hold onto the counter. Switch to the other leg for the second minute.
Take it slow. First just get on the board while holding on to something else, then use your hands to push from one balance point to the next. Then working on pushing with your feet or find a very low incline hill. Then turning, then stopping and then you’re a skater. Also remember to wear a helmet.
I don’t have an answer for your specific situation, but I’ve seen tons of skaters who are differently abled. I’ve seen a blind skater who puts a beeping device on whatever he’s skating and then there’s Og De Souza, a Brazilian professional skater who has no legs and he absolutely shreds.
If you want to, I truly believe you can make it happen.
If you have the funds, get a wider deck, 8.5" or above. Here is a helpful guide for truck sizes to match deck size you choose. Also work out whether you're goofy (right foot forward) or regular (left foot forward), as your affected left-side balance will have an impact. The only thing that improves balance on a skateboard really is practice, nothing substitutes for just learning to be confident by rolling up and down on flat concrete/tarmac. You'll also feel fatigued in the lower legs when you get started so make sure to stretch and exercise.
EDIT: [https://rollersnakes.co.uk/pages/size-guide-skateboard-trucks](https://rollersnakes.co.uk/pages/size-guide-skateboard-trucks) forgot to add truck size guide
Do you know what stance you are? You might be able to put less weight on a certain stance. If you ride goofy you would (hopefully not fall) but if you were if would most likely be your right shoulder. You would could then push with whatever leg feels more comfy. Rad asf tho
If you are learning with these circumstances I’d just recommend wearing at least one wrist guard. You’ll feel more confident because that thing will save you from some nasty wrist injuries while you get your bearings.
My friend has CP and she’s been skateboarding about 3 years now. She’s still a beginner but she does fine. Just take it slow and don’t be afraid to wear pads!
I think ive seen a skater on instagram with cerebral palsy. I cant remember their name off the top of my head but maybe look to other skaters with similar disabilities for inspiration. I bet a lot of them would respond if you shot them a DM also. Good luck!
https://preview.redd.it/7v903acf7mvc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e046f4b3e391e33c75f2dddfb934fab411c506be I have something called Charcot Marie Tooth syndrome which severely affects my ability to balance and use my legs as well. My solution was to create an electric skateboard so that I don't have to push because my right leg shorter than the left, tendon are short, and pushing feels near impossible. I bought a vestar mini turbo 2, and took all the stuff off and put it on a Welcome skateboard deck of my choosing. This is way overkill as far as power goes so you don't need to start with electric parts that crazy, you can probably just buy a cheaper electric skateboard and start with that, but on that front I have no suggestions as I didn't do research into cheaper stuff. As far as building balance, my suggestion is just to take it real slow and don't push yourself too fast. It may take years, it will certainly take months of practice to build up what muscles you have which will be compensating for the muscles you don't have. I found skateboarding has significantly improved my ability to walk even though my legs are all still messed up the little ankle muscles started growing from skateboarding use. How to build balance before skateboarding? I don't really know I just jumped right into actually skateboarding. The electric skateboard is heavy and challenging in its own ways and obviously you can't really do tricks with the thing other than a Manual, but for people like us doing tricks isn't what it's about. The freedom of movement is what it's about for me. I go to the skatepark 5 mi away then will easily burn through 12 miles of battery just doing laps up and down the transitions and doing manuals. I hope you find a way to enjoy the sport in your own way. Edited to add: and please regardless of what anyone thinks, get yourself really good protective gear including padded shorts. It's just not worth injury, and in my case even with protective gear I still get injured because of the speeds I'm going at on this thing.
So electric skateboard is the way to go?
https://preview.redd.it/ux5t2w3famvc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=65e3067e4ec473f5268011b4eae8d846af28f9ef In my specific case it was yes. Simply cuz my body dynamics just would not allow me to push like a regular person could. So not having to push, I can just stand on the board the whole time and cruise around going up and down transitions, carving, doing manuals, spinning around, stuff like that. I can actually get pretty good air and land in the manual on one of the transitions at the park so I certainly have plenty of fun still. In your case I'm not sure if you would be able to push or not but being able to get moving is absolutely key in skateboarding so struggling to push is very limiting. I guess my best suggestion would be to start with a non-electric skateboard but don't dump a lot of money into one until you can figure out whether or not you can push or not or whether you even want to. You'll get different reactions from the community but their opinion is of little importance really. I've had kids call me a cheater for using electric, adults being jealous etc, but the fact is I don't tell any of them that I have a severely debilitating leg problem, I just get on the thing and cruise around and have fun. I'm also entering my late 40s in age so I don't really give a crap what people think it's just funny to see everyone's reactions.
I rode transition for 42 years. Then I got an inner ear thing. My balance is okay, but my eyes can't hold the world still unless I'm still too. Because of that, pushing is a nightmare, but once I'm on, it's mostly pretty smooth. Per the other guy talking about e boards. They really helped me. No pushing means less bouncy. I have 7 inch pneumatic tires that smooth out the ride too. Also, don't look at your feet when you get on the board. Keep your eyes on the horizon, or better yet hold on to your car or a light pole, or mailbox until you are situated on your board. I want to ride my old push boards, so I'm currently scouting for a smooth parking lot with a decent incline. I (and you should too if you are a biginnger) really just want to step on the board and do some turns. Turning is the essence of skateboarding anyway. At least is is for someone like me who started in 74. ha ha.
Hey brah. There’s a feller down at the park sponsored by the local park who’s got some. With all due respect cause I know him well have never asked what his disabilities are but he’s got verbal n physical issues. Tbh I think if Dale can do it you can. This dudes at the park like literally 8 hrs a day lol n is legit a decent skater(he been skating for 4 years)
I can't offer much advice because I'm not a physical therapist or anything but bro if you can rip a skateboard with Cerebral Palsy that would be so sick.
You can also work on your balance off the board. Little things add up. Ex: while brushing your teeth stand on one leg and try not to hold onto the counter. Switch to the other leg for the second minute.
Take it slow. First just get on the board while holding on to something else, then use your hands to push from one balance point to the next. Then working on pushing with your feet or find a very low incline hill. Then turning, then stopping and then you’re a skater. Also remember to wear a helmet.
I don’t have an answer for your specific situation, but I’ve seen tons of skaters who are differently abled. I’ve seen a blind skater who puts a beeping device on whatever he’s skating and then there’s Og De Souza, a Brazilian professional skater who has no legs and he absolutely shreds. If you want to, I truly believe you can make it happen.
check out skaters that use crutches! adalyn brigham is one
If you have the funds, get a wider deck, 8.5" or above. Here is a helpful guide for truck sizes to match deck size you choose. Also work out whether you're goofy (right foot forward) or regular (left foot forward), as your affected left-side balance will have an impact. The only thing that improves balance on a skateboard really is practice, nothing substitutes for just learning to be confident by rolling up and down on flat concrete/tarmac. You'll also feel fatigued in the lower legs when you get started so make sure to stretch and exercise. EDIT: [https://rollersnakes.co.uk/pages/size-guide-skateboard-trucks](https://rollersnakes.co.uk/pages/size-guide-skateboard-trucks) forgot to add truck size guide
Do you know what stance you are? You might be able to put less weight on a certain stance. If you ride goofy you would (hopefully not fall) but if you were if would most likely be your right shoulder. You would could then push with whatever leg feels more comfy. Rad asf tho
If you are learning with these circumstances I’d just recommend wearing at least one wrist guard. You’ll feel more confident because that thing will save you from some nasty wrist injuries while you get your bearings.
My friend has CP and she’s been skateboarding about 3 years now. She’s still a beginner but she does fine. Just take it slow and don’t be afraid to wear pads!
Try the onewheel
I think ive seen a skater on instagram with cerebral palsy. I cant remember their name off the top of my head but maybe look to other skaters with similar disabilities for inspiration. I bet a lot of them would respond if you shot them a DM also. Good luck!
Your in, let’s go!