Aaron Fotheringham

Aaron Fotheringham is a 16-year-old wheelchair athlete, specializing in a technique he describes as “hardcore sitting.” Born with spinobiphida, Fotheringham can execute extreme stunts similar to a BMX bike rider while sitting in his wheelchair. In a YouTube video, Fotheringham said he wants other kids in wheelchairs to see him, so he can “...inspire them. Just to go off a curb, or jump a stair set, or just get out of the house. Those video games are death.”YouTube: Aaron Fotheringham: Eclips (Time: 1:13)

”Hardcore sitting” is a term I created for extreme wheelchairing. I was born with spinobiphida. When I pull up to the skate part everyone knows me, and they're like, “Hey wheels. What's up?” A couple of the tricks I do is just a 180 in the air. And then, the back flip. The first time I did it here I had too much speed. I over-rotated and smacked my head. After about two days I finally landed the first one. I just went down the ramp, and just yanked it. I landed it, rolled down the back. Everyone was screaming and it popped into my head that I landed it. When other kids in wheelchairs see me and what I do, I'd just like to be able to inspire them. Just to go off a curb, or jump a stair set, or just get out of the house. Those video games are death.;mdash;Aaron FotheringhamYouTube: Aaron Fotheringham: Eclips (Time: 1:13)