Luzi Castillo is a 12-year-old daredevil who is making a name for herself with her adventurous spirit and daring nature.
But what makes her even more remarkable is the fact that she was born with a form of Spina Bifida called Myelomeningocele which resulted in her having an incomplete spinal canal and thus needs to use a wheelchair.
Watch her inspiring story below!
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Video credit: Rumble
Although her physical body may be confined to a wheelchair, her spirit was not and she can often be found on the basketball court, on top of a surfboard, or at the skate park doing what she loves.
Luzi said: “If you’re in a wheelchair, you can do anything you want. I’m faster than all the boys at the skatepark.”
At the suggestion of her mom, Luzi started playing basketball and skating when she was seven.
“My mom made me try skating and I was kind of scared, but when I tried it, I was like, ‘Oh, I like this.’” Luzi said.
Initially worried, Elizabeth, Luzi’s mom, soon found out that her daughter’s daredevil spirit was unwavering.
“I can’t show her I’m scared because she will be scared,” Elizabeth said.
When she was carrying Luzi in the womb, Elizabeth immediately knew something was wrong after observing her doctor’s reaction during the ultrasound.
“It was scary honestly. I was 18 and straight out of high school with this baby who had special needs,” Elizabeth explained.
“I’d never even heard of Spina Bifida, I Googled it and it was the scariest thing ever. I didn’t think she’d have a bright future.”
But Luzi’s spirit was stronger and both mother and daughter soon adapted to the situation.
“She was crawling around with heavy casts on for nine months, but she was the happiest, nothing stopped her. It was the coolest thing.”
Of course, Luzi’s biggest cheerleader is still her mom who has two other young children now.
“We all have our moments [but] we are best friends,” Elizabeth said.
Unsurprisingly, Luzi fell “multiple times” when she first started skating, probably spending as much time on the floor as on the ramps.
“I couldn’t get up a ramp – the ramps were pretty big – I turned and fell sideways.
“It hurt.
“I just got back up and had fun again.”
Luzi had a straight answer when asked if the daredevil reputation pleased her: “Yes because it’s true.”
And other people at the skatepark are eager to help Luzi get back up the bowl.
“People at the skatepark let me get on the ramps and they cheer me on.”
But make no mistake, Luzi plays for keeps: “I’m faster than all the boys at the skate park.
“I can do anything I put my mind to.”
As for Elizabeth, having her daughter inspire others who are also disabled makes her feel proud.
“She makes me proud every time, whether it’s basketball or surfing, she always does something new.
“I’m happy she’s healthy and she can show other people that there are no limits.”
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