Wheelchair Backflip

Wheelchair Backflip – Pics and video of 16-year old Aaron Fotheringham doing a backflip in his wheelchair, which has been modified with shock absorbers and a titanium frame.

The wheelchair backflip that Aaron has perfected has finally been recognized by the Guiness Book of World Records for his freestyle acrobatics.

Fotheringham, 16, who is known to friends as ‘Wheels’,  finally landed the official world record after learning the amazing acrobatic stunt two years ago.

Born with spina bifida and in a wheelchair since the age of three, Aaron said: “It feels awesome to have the record.”

The American teenager is also credited with creating the sport of ‘hardcore sitting’ where daring stunts adapted from skateboarding and BMX are performed in a wheelchair.

He began doing stunts at the age of nine when his elder brother Brian took him to their local skate park in Las Vegas.

Now Aaron gets flown all over the world to perform stunts and spends at least three hours a day practicing.

 

Aaron’s custom wheelchair is made of reinforced aluminium with suspension, shock absorbers and a ‘grind bar’ for street and ramp stunts.

“I love being in a wheelchair,” said Aaron. ‘Everyone thinks “Oh you’re disabled that’s such a terrible thing” but I think it’s positive.

“It’s like being able to carry your skateboard everywhere with you. People don’t realise how much can be done in a chair.”

Completing each trick requires complete concentration and perfect judgement of speed and Aaron has suffered a few nasty crashes in the past.

“I’ve shattered my elbow and had concussion too many times to count,” said Aaron.

Approaching the ramp at the wrong speed could result in a crash where Aaron’s entire body-weight and weight of his chair lands on his neck.

“I always wear a helmet and pads, but it still hurts when you fall,” he says.

Aaron has become quite a celebrity in the skate scene and has also become a hero to wheelchair users all over the world.

“I get little kids telling me they like being in their chair now,” says Aaron who has visitors from all over the U.S. come to ask him for tips.

Wheelchair Backflip Video

And that’s the latest news on Aaron Fotheringham doing a wheelchair backflip.

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