An eight-year-old Melbourne boy with a profound disability is experiencing the thrill of skateboarding for the first time, thanks to innovative equipment and a community committed to genuine inclusion.
A Thrill-Seeker on Wheels
Sporting sunglasses, a helmet, and adaptive clothing, Lloyd Pinn stands on a skateboard at Melbourne's Riverslide skate park. With two volunteers running alongside, he glides across the surface, supported by a custom-built all ability skate frame, feeling the wind on his face.
Lloyd lives with a rare genetic condition, IQSEC2 syndrome, which means he is non-mobile, non-verbal, has a severe intellectual disability, and relies on a feeding tube. Approximately 30% of children with his condition do not live past the age of five. His mother, Maya Pinn, founder of RareWear Australia, says Lloyd is a daredevil who loves hard rock music and risky play.
"He lives for risky play – including pretend wrestling with his friends, and now he is learning to love skating," Pinn says. She jumped at the chance when she saw an email from the Victorian group Advocating for Children with Disability offering supported skating, even though it was advertised for children over 12.
Breaking Down Barriers to Fun
Pinn explains that terms like "accessible" or "inclusive" often make her sigh, as many activities still exclude children with complex needs like Lloyd's. "Lloyd wants to have fun just like any other kid. But for him, fun needs to look a little different. And that’s OK ... when people are willing to try."
The opportunity arose through the Disability Sport & Recreation Festival in Melbourne, now in its 15th year. The festival offers people of all abilities the chance to try inclusive sports, from wheelchair rugby to adapted skateboarding.
The all ability skate frame was introduced to the YMCA's Skate Action Sports manager, Matthew Brett, by Albury-based designer and coach Al Taylor. The structure allows skaters to safely stand and move on a board with trained instructors' help.
"I immediately knew that this was something big," Brett says. "Delivering the All Abilities session with Maya and Lloyd has honestly been one of the most heartwarming experiences of my career."
Inclusion Elevates Everyone
Dave Wells, CEO of festival sponsor Reclink Australia, states that true inclusivity is about removing barriers, not lowering expectations. "It’s making sure people with disabilities can enjoy the same opportunities to move, play, and belong as anyone else," he says.
For Maya Pinn, the experience has been transformative. The skate frame gave Lloyd his first taste of the sport, and he is now hooked. "With the right people, the right attitude, and a bit of creative thinking, he got to do something we weren’t even sure was possible," she says.
She believes that creating space for children like Lloyd benefits everyone. "When we make space for kids like Lloyd to belong, we don’t just include them, we elevate everyone. Skateboarding becomes not just a sport, but a bridge between worlds."
And Lloyd's verdict on his new passion? His mother sums it up in two words: "Pure joy."
