Kaylene Fotheringham: Wheelchair Flip Mom Shares Her Story

When Kaylene and Steve Fotheringham’s third of six adopted children was diagnosed with spina bifida, they were told Aaron Fotheringham would never sit independently. Instead, their little boy crawled, walked with crutches and used a wheelchair, finally committing to the wheelchair alone at the age of eight after several painful hip operations. Six years later, he landed the world’s first wheelchair backflip.

He also rolls down concrete stairs, rides rails, carves through skate parks and takes a beating with crash after crash, earning him several broken bones.  Besides the falls, Aaron Fotheringham has appeared in a movie and on TV, and traveled the world to showcase his exceptional talent.

What’s it like to parent such a child? Kaylene Fotheringham gives her insight.

DB: What were you feeling when you watched Aaron practice his wheelchair backflip?
KF: When Aaron first told me he wanted to do a backflip I said no way.  Then we heard of the Extreme Sports Camp, Woodward West, and that they have a foam pit to practice in.  I told him he could try there.  They had never had a kid in a wheelchair at the camp, so it took some convincing, but they let him come.  I did not see the first flip in person.  In fact, when he called and said he did it, I thought he was teasing me.  I soon realized he had actually done it and saw the video a few days later.  None of us even thought at that time what a life-changing event that was.

DB: Did you encourage him to go for it, or were you wishing he would just play it safe?  
KF: When he first started going to the skate park I had my doubts.  My husband, his dad, said I had to let him be a kid and learn and do all he could.  It was hard at times but I knew he was right.

DB: What about the time he broke his elbow?
KF: He has actually broken his elbow a few times.  We only ended up in the emergency room once.  It was a little scary for him, thinking he may have to stop going to skate parks, but he was back at it within a few weeks.  He has suffered amazingly few injuries considering what he does.  He is actually very careful.  He builds up to things, and goes at new tricks slowly. He does not like getting hurt.

DB: How do you feel his fame has affected the man he is today?
KF: I have no idea what he would be like if this had not happened in his life.  He has learned better “people” skills than he might have otherwise.  He is good with little kids and the press.  He likes the attention and performing for crowds.  He has a lot of ambition, big ideas, and drive, but he always did.

DB: What was Aaron like as a little kid? Did he always have that single-minded drive to achieve?  
KF: This is the easiest question you asked.  Yes!!! He was amazing as a little kid.  We were told that he would never be able to sit independently and that he would need a lot of care his whole life.

The first year was difficult, but also amazing.  We watched as he developed as any “normal” kid.  He rolled over on time.  He sat up on time.  He “creeped” on time (just a little different), he even crawled (like an Army commando) on time.  When it came to walking he did that on time as well.  He just needed leg braces and a walker, but he was determined to master it.

He quickly graduated to crutches and even learned to run, crutches flying, before he went to school.  He got his first wheelchair when he was three years old, but preferred the crutches until about the age of eight.  At that time he figured out he was really fast in his chair.  Before long he was “popping wheelies,” jumping curbs and refusing to let anyone push him at all.  He worked for days to learn how to right his chair when he fell without taking off the seat belt and getting out.  He did it, and I still think it is one of his most amazing accomplishments.

DB: Where does your husband figure into all this?
KF: My husband, Steve, and I have been married for 30 years.  He teaches university-level religion classes.  He is very supportive of Aaron and all our kids.  He has had to do more these last few years because I have had to travel with Aaron as he is still a minor.

DB: How has your son’s fame affected your role as a mother?
KF: It is different.  I have been a full-time mother for 24 years (we have six kids).  I love my work.  I never really had any ambition to make my mark on the world.  I enjoy children.  Now I have to do things like this, and talk to TV and even movie producers.  I have been on TV a half dozen times.  
I manage his appointments, travel, income, website, and store.  This is all very different for me.  But I will admit it is kind of fun.

DB: What advice would you give other moms raising a child who uses a wheelchair?
KF: That is difficult, because I know that Aaron’s ability level is higher than many kids in wheelchairs.  But I do know that we had him do everything he could his whole life.  We decided he would need to take care of himself from the very beginning.

For instance, he had to go get his own drink just like the other kid.  Yes, it might have been harder, and taken more time for him, but this is his life, he needed to learn to deal with it.  We saw our role as more of a “cheering section” than helpers.  He was our third child, and the older ones would not let us “spoil” him.  They made sure he did his share around the house.  His brother teased and tormented him like any little brother.

Now, at the age of 17, he is tough and independent.  We are proud of him.