Ryusei Ouchi is like most skateboarders who feel a thrill at the rush of air and a sense of accomplishment whenever a trick is successfully performed.
But one thing sets the 19-year-old from other boarders: Ouchi is practically blind.
He had perfect vision when he was born but at the age of seven, he was diagnosed with an eye condition whereby his sight has degenerated so much that he needs to use a cane whenever he goes out. What’s remarkable is that he also uses the cane when he’s out skateboarding at the local skatepark near his home in Tokorozawa which is north of Tokyo.
Watch to meet Ryusei in the video below!
[rumble video_id=v5yt85 domain_id=u7nb2]
Video credit: Rumble
It’s impressive enough when a boarder can drop off large ramps, ride rails, or perform handstand tricks but the achievement is even more phenomenal when Ouchi does them. His prowess has duly impressed the local skateboarding community and he has a respectable social media following because of it.
Of course, Ouchi is cognizant of the dangers but accepts that the risks come with the territory.
“If I’m skateboarding I don’t know how safe I can be, but that’s life,” Ouchi said.
“I love skateboarding regardless and want to do it.”
Ouchi got into skateboarding at 15 just when his eyesight started degenerating even faster. It was then that he came to the decision that he wanted to learn skateboarding before it was too late.
“In my second year of high school, my eyesight got really bad, and all of a sudden the disease was progressing at a faster rate and I started panicking a little,” he said.
Being able to skateboard with friends gave Ouchi a much-needed outlet which is why he’s at the skatepark several times a week.
While it took some time for him to mentally memorize the layout, once it was all ingrained, he was free to start performing tricks.
“Many people tell me that they can’t believe I skateboard being blind. I get this often,” he said.
“Right now, it is not yet common for blind people to skateboard, at least in the minds of the general public.
“If it becomes a Paralympic sport, I think people will go, ‘Huh?’ and want to check it out.”
But at the moment, Ouchi is happy enough to inspire others via his social media channels.
“As a skateboarder, even if I am blind I want to skateboard when I can, so I want to continue having pride in myself and spreading my story,” he said.
“As a member of the visually impaired community, aside from skateboarding, there are many struggles.
“I want society to be more understanding.”
Replaced!