13-Year-Old Boy Overcomes Blindness to Skateboard
Like many teenagers, 13-year-old Ashton Dunford from Utah enjoys speeding around on his skateboard. What makes his story so remarkable is that he has been blind since birth. However, Ashton has not let this hold him back. Instead, he has continuously worked on mastering the skills to achieve his goal of navigating the slopes at the local skateboard park.
Ashton’s 34-year-old mother, Hilda Dunford, shared that her 39-year-old husband, Tyler, grew up skateboarding, which led to Ashton being raised around the sound of skateboards.
She added, “Being blind does not mean their lives will be miserable, nor does it mean their lives will not be beautiful, let alone that their lives will be filled with unimaginable things.”
The couple also has two daughters who described how Ashton, the middle child, would often play with his dad, sitting on the skateboard or riding on his father’s shoulders. When asked what he wanted for his 10th birthday, Ashton said he wanted his own skateboard because he wanted to skate like his dad.
Not knowing how to teach their son, Ashton’s parents reached out to blind skateboard enthusiasts they found on social media. These individuals used white canes and learned by skating with others and listening to descriptions of tricks.
Ashton began to gain confidence gradually. His father guided his feet on the skateboard with his hands and provided instructions. By using his white cane to check for obstacles and following his father, Ashton was able to safely enjoy the thrill of skateboarding near his home.
“It’s really fun!” Ashton said. “I feel free when I’m skateboarding, and I feel like I can do anything.”
Skateboarding is not the only hobby for this active, adventure-loving teenager. He also enjoys skiing, mountain biking, and rock climbing. Since the age of 5, Hilda has been taking Ashton to the National Ability Center, a nonprofit organization that provides programs for children with disabilities.
Aspiring to become a computer programmer, Ashton said, “Over the past few years, I have developed a strong interest in coding.”
Earlier this year, Ashton was the only blind actor on the set of the movie “If I Could Ride 2,” set to be released in the spring. To prepare for his role, he took acting classes, memorized lines, and learned to ride a horse.
Proudly, Ashton’s mother remarked, “Being able to see your child find something they love, even though it is very challenging, and overcome obstacles and succeed is just so wonderful. This is Ashton’s first movie, his first time on a set, and the youngest actor on the set, so everything was new, but he was able to show everyone there that he could do it, and he did. I think every actor and crew member learned a lot from Ashton and were inspired by him.”
For the Dunford couple, seeing their child grow into the confident and determined young man he is today is the greatest blessing and life lesson. Ashton was born with septo-optic dysplasia, a rare condition that affects optic nerve development, presenting him with various challenges.
Hilda Dunford could never have imagined her son would accomplish what he has today. She shared, “When Ashton was little, he had to learn how to hold his head up as an infant through physical therapy. He had to learn to crawl through physical therapy. I never thought he would grow up to skateboard, ski, or rock climb. But seeing him do these things is inspiring because I see him being able to do what he loves.”
On September 22, one day before Ashton’s 13th birthday, his family took him to a local skateboard shop, Board of Provo, to pick out a new custom skateboard. There, Ashton and the staff assembled a brand new skateboard as a birthday gift, with Ashton carefully choosing the wheels, bearings, and board.
Hilda Dunford’s advice to parents of blind children is, “They will thrive. You will be there to watch them overcome challenges and grow, which is the greatest gift. You will learn so much from them. I love being Ashton’s mom. Sometimes, their lives will end up being greater and more beautiful than you planned.”
Ashton, in turn, tells other blind children that if they have something they truly want to do in life, they can achieve it. “As long as you put in the effort and try, you can do it. Over time, if you keep at it, it will become less daunting, to the point where you can see it as fun. Just go ahead and do it, and it won’t be as scary as you imagine.”
In conclusion, Ashton’s story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the boundless potential that lies within each individual, regardless of their circumstances. Through his unwavering spirit and willingness to embrace challenges, Ashton continues to inspire those around him to reach for their dreams and never give up.