Tommy Carroll Blind American amateur skateboarder Country: USA

Biography of Tommy Carroll

Tommy Carroll, a blind amateur skateboarder from Chicago, Illinois, is known for his incredible skills and determination in the world of skateboarding. Despite being blind, Tommy believes that in the skateboarding world, you can either be a blind skateboarder or a skateboarder with a capital "S". He believes that at the skate park, nobody cares about your problems, so you have to show them how you have overcome your own challenges.

Tommy was born in the suburbs of Chicago in the early 1990s. At the age of two, he was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye cancer, which left him completely blind. From a young age, Tommy showed an interest in sports, but both he and his parents knew that a professional sports career was impossible in his condition.

Everything changed when Tommy discovered skateboarding at the age of 10. With his parents by his side, he spent just a few minutes on a skateboard, and a plan formed in his mind: to become the most famous skateboarder in the world. Of course, in the beginning, there was no talk of fame. Schoolmates laughed when they saw him with a skateboard, convinced that a blind boy could never come close to the level of skateboarding skills. But they were wrong.

It took Tommy almost ten years to learn to navigate the world through sound, recognizing the road by the sound of wheels and the noise of the street. In the skate park, which he knows like the back of his hand, Tommy has to carefully consider every turn and keep a mental map of the park to avoid colliding with obstacles. Despite these challenges, Tommy is no different from any other sighted athlete. He fearlessly performs difficult tricks and combines jumps with flatland maneuvers.

Tommy gained widespread popularity after the release of a video for the "Be Brave Be Safe" project, in which he showcased his typical morning routine: his home, the journey to the skate park, and his dedicated training sessions. The video quickly went viral and brought national attention to Tommy. Articles about him appeared in major American publications such as the Huffington Post and Inquisitr. His story even caught the attention of Tony Hawk, arguably the most famous skateboarder of our time. To support Tommy's achievements, Tony traveled to his hometown and spent a whole day at the local park, teaching Tommy new tricks. Thanks to this encounter, Tommy's "Be Brave Be Safe" project, aimed at promoting safety among athletes, gained popularity in America.

Today, Tommy continues to pursue his passion for skateboarding. He is confident that greater success and the opportunity to participate in major competitions lie ahead. "People see me and think I'm a great blind skateboarder," he said in an interview, "but I want to be a great skateboarder. Period."