Amputee Skateboarder Hopes to Inspire Others With Disabilities

The city of Irving and RISE Adaptive Sports are pairing up to inspire those with physical disabilities to skateboard

For the second year, RISE Adaptive Sports and the city of Irving are hosting an adaptive skate event for disabled children, adults and veterans.

Among the participants is Jon Comer, a professional skateboarder who lost his leg when he was four years old. Comer said his physical disability didn't keep him from pursuing his passion, and on Saturday he will be inspiring others to do the same. 

"I got hit by a car when I was four years old and then lost my foot when I was seven just due to complications from that," said Comer.

Since he was 10 years old, skateboarding became a passion and Comer never saw his amputation as a disability and has been a professional skateboarder since 1997. He's hoping to inspire the kids to push the limits no matter what their disabilities are. 

"I would destroy my prosthetics all the time," said Comer. "And I'd go in and I'd get fixed up so I can get back out there and skate some more."

Nonprofit Rise Adaptive Sports is working with the city of Irving for the second year to help raise awareness and inspiration. 

"We want people to realize that we have a diverse population, which includes people with physical and mental disabilities, and we ought to be providing services for them as well," said Joseph Moses, city of Irving recreation superintendent.

Chris Goad, executive director of Rise Adaptive Sports, hopes the event inspires those reaching for their dreams, like Comer. 

"Doing something like this really helps with self-esteem and confidence," said Goad. "And especially if we can get kids in the fold at an early age, it helps them with school, knowing that they can accomplish things despite disabilities."

The event begins at 10 a.m. at the Lively Pointe Skate Park on Saturday, April 27.

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