“Droppin’ in”

Oct 2010 Issue

by Ken Lowell
Drop in here, a little higher, higher, right here by this crack.” This was the expert instruction given to 8-year-old Blake Dickenson as he edged his wheelchair to the point of no return at the bowl of a Las Vegas skate park for the first time, on a 106 degree August day. As much of an adrenaline rush as it was for Blake to ‘drop in’ at the skate park, it was even more exciting to him that his expert instructor for the day was none other than “Nitro-Circus” Star and fellow “Hardcore” sitter, Aaron Fotheringham.

Aside from the thrill of participating in this extreme and sometimes painful sport, Blake and Aaron have other things in common. They are both members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and they were both born with a condition called Spina Bifida.
That means their spines didn’t develop properly before birth, so they both need wheelchairs. That hot August day it was clear they also share the drive and determination to accomplish any goals they set.

Over the last few years, Aaron has become a true extreme sports superstar. He was recently entered into the Guinness Book of World Records as the first person to perform a complete back flip in a wheel chair. You may have seen the X-Games on ESPN, where guys come off a 40 or 50 foot high ramp, perform their stunts while flying through the air, then land perfectly on the ramp at the other end on a BMX bike or a motorcycle.

Aaron did that very thing recently while on tour with “Nitro-Circus” in Sydney, Australia, on his custom-designed wheelchair. He calmly rolled his way to the edge of the ramp, pumped the crowd up with a wave, sped down the ramp, pulled up into the air, and completed a perfect back flip while flying some 40 feet in the air. He landed wheels down on the other side, making history, to the delight of the Australian crowd.

Not content with the single flip, Aaron went straight back to the ramp to try a double back flip! He didn’t pull that one off that night, but true to his determination and perseverance, he recently posted on his Facebook page: “First Double Back Flip landed on a Wheelchair.”
He pulled off the double on August 26, 2010, in Woodward, Pennsylvania.

These are just a couple of the highlights of Aaron’s extreme sports career. The opportunities he has earned through his hard work, practice, determination, “never say die” attitude and a desire to reach new heights, have taken him across the globe. Aaron has been to Germany, Japan, Australia, and all over the United States. He serves as an example of what sheer desire can accomplish.

“Wheelz,” as he is known, has appeared on 60 Minutes and been featured in Sports Illustrated. He is fully sponsored; he has his own t-shirts, hats, and stickers, all testifying to the ‘superstar status’ he has attained. Aaron also has a You Tube following that lets his many fans, family and friends follow his career as he traverses the globe.

Although Aaron has landed many amazing and complex stunts from his chair, I am most impressed with his gift from the heart, delivered at a skate park on a hot August day in Las Vegas. The meeting was due to the efforts of one of Aaron’s former Seminary teachers, Sister Renee’ Lowell. She and Blake’s mom, Linda Dickenson, are in the same church ward.

Sister Lowell had kept in contact with Aaron over the years through his web site and Facebook, and asked him if he would mind taking a few minutes to talk with Blake, and maybe do a stunt or two at the park. With Aaron’s busy travelling schedule, his free time at home was at a premium, but it all came together. Wheelz didn’t just show Blake a stunt or two, the two spent quality time together. Aaron showed Blake how to get on and off of curbs, navigate angles and uneven terrain. Aaron’s “few minutes” became an hour and a half, complete with showing Blake how to “drop in” at the skate park.

This was not an isolated incident for Aaron. He has given in the past, and I’m sure he will give in the future, of his time, his experience, and his compassion. He has even attended summer camps as a counselor and mentor for kids in a situation similar to his. His soft-spoken nature allows him to connect with the kids at camp. He encourages them and helps them to realize that they can do whatever they want despite their handicaps. I hesitate to use the word handicapped, because if you’ve ever seen Wheelz in action, he will forever change your perception of ‘disabled.’

Joseph Smith once said, “I am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain; … knocking off a corner here and a corner there,” until he became a smooth, polished instrument in the Lord’s hands. Aaron, whether he realizes it or not, having knocked off a few corners, is also a smooth, polished instrument of good works in the Master’s hands. As always, he’s still rolling.

At the end of the trip to the park that day, Aaron signed a few autographs, passed out posters and cards. He made one young man very happy, hot and tired as they both were.
He also touched the heart of an old man that day, with his selfless service. Aaron brings joy and encouragement to everyone he meets, physically challenged or not.

Aaron signed Blake’s poster with “Remember, you’re not in that chair, you’re on it.” That summarizes this amazing young man’s attitude and outlook on life.
Wherever their lives take them, I hope Aaron and Blake always remember that day in the park. I know I will. Aaron, thanks for ‘droppin’ in.’
For more information see www.spinabifidaassociation.org or www.aaronfotheringham.com.