The Dream to Skateboard

Seven-year-old Joao Vicente had a simple wish - to learn how to skateboard. But for Joao, who has cerebral palsy, this dream seemed out of reach due to his limited mobility. Thanks to dedicated helpers, his skateboarding dream eventually became reality.

The Original Innovation

The story begins with professional skateboarder Ricardo Porva. Ricardo wanted to share his love of skateboarding with his daughter Iris, who has spinal muscular atrophy. With some friends, he designed an adaptive skateboarding rig that would make it possible for Iris to experience the thrill of skating.

A Therapist Takes Action

Physiotherapist Steven Pinto later encountered a similar situation. He was working with a 12-year-old client who dreamed of skateboarding despite mobility challenges. Drawing inspiration from Ricardo's design, Steven created an adaptive walker with a skateboard attached.

When Steven saw the joy this brought to his client, he knew he had to expand the idea to help more children.

Birth of Skate Anima

Steven joined forces with psychologist Daniel Paniagua to create Skate Anima - a project dedicated to making skateboarding accessible to people of all abilities. They purchased the original design from Ricardo and his team, then began creating custom rigs for others, including one for Joao Vicente.

Growing the Movement

The team didn't stop there. They've continued to improve on the original design, developing various adaptive skateboards to accommodate different needs. Their work has grown into regular skateboarding events where volunteer skateboarders - including many professionals - help push the riders around.

This hands-on assistance gives participants the most authentic skateboarding experience possible. The volunteers serve as the power behind the boards, while the riders get to feel the rush of movement and freedom that comes with skating.

Beyond the Board

Skate Anima has transformed what seemed impossible into reality for many children. Their work reminds us that with creativity and dedication, we can break down barriers and create inclusive spaces for everyone.

For kids like Joao Vicente, these adaptive skateboards aren't just fun toys - they're vehicles of independence and joy, allowing them to participate in activities they once could only watch from the sidelines.

Through adaptive equipment and compassionate volunteers, Skate Anima continues to make skateboarding dreams come true for children of all abilities.