Tuesday, January 4

Inline Community Shows Support for Fellow Skater

By Chris Edwards

Life sometimes throws us surprises, and unexpected difficulties. It is usually during these times that the family structure, and overall morals of humanity, are tested.

Inline skating has become a true community that supports itself, its companies, and most importantly its skaters from all ranks.

Sean riding a huge rail in the summer of 1998.

Nothing could be a greater testament to the strength of the inline community, than what happened on Dec. 26, 1999. Skating is about the kids, and supporting and fostering their dreams until they become reality. The day after Christmas, one kid's dreams came to a sudden halt. His misfortune has pulled our entire community into a network of support.

Sean Cunningham was a kid, let me rephrase that, he still is a kid with a dream, to be a solid figure in our community. He has competed in many contests within the inline circuits, and placed very well in each. He has developed an outstanding relationship in his local skate community.

Sean skated regularly at Shimmerville Skatepark in Allentown, PA. It is here that he and his friends call home. They often come in to skate with the local kids, and help develop the next generation of rippers for the inline community.

Sean with good friend Kelly Matthews after she won the 1998 World Championship.

The day after Christmas, Sean and a buddy were driving home and were run off the road. Their car was completely totaled, and Sean was knocked into a coma. He slept for over six weeks and has just returned to us in the last three weeks. The inline community showed their support for Sean on Valentines Day at Shimmerville skatepark. Nearly 300 of Seans family and friends came to the park for a dinner and raffle, to help raise money for his enormous hospital bills.

Over $4000 has been raised so far from this event. The inline industry showed their support by sending in over $5000 worth of product that was raffled off. Daily Bread magazine, England clothing, Fiction clothing, Roces skates, K2 skates, Razors skates, USD skates, Transpack, Triple Eight, Remedy, Woodward Camp, The D-Tour, and several local merchants all contributed to the mass array of product! Thank you all!

Local pro skaters came to show their support and skate with the kids during this six hour party for Sean! Matt Lindenmuth, who gave a $75 donation to the Cunningham family, Jason Stinzmen, Joe Ackler, Jon Ortiz, Ray Mendez, Kelly Matthews, Mike Bennett, and myself where all there for this monumental evening.

I hope that when you read the Sean Cunningham story on http://www.allentown-pa.com, you are moved the same way we have been in our community. Money is still needed to make sure that everything that can be done, will be done!

Sean chillin' with the D=Tour crew at his house in Allentown, PA.

I had the opportunity to visit Sean in the hospital during one of his therapy sessions. Sean's determination just brings tears to your eyes. Our prayers are with him and I have faith that Sean will be on his skates in no time! Please if you cannot help monetarily, prayers are always needed and accepted. We will keep you posted on his recovery, and the miracle that is before us. Sean will skate again! God bless you and your families, may nothing but goodness, peace, love, and joy fall upon you! Thank you, from Sean's family to yours, for all of your support!

-Peace

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Since the article above was written a while ago we got some additional updates to accompany this article.

Update - Jason Hines

After visiting Sean Cunningham during the first few weeks of his rehab, it was hard to be optimistic about his recovery. We had seen his transformation from a small kid in a suburban Philly skate park, into a strong young and one of the top amateur skaters in the country. It was very hard to envision Sean being able to get back to his true form, given the condition he was in that first day we visited him. What has taken place over the last 2 1/2 months is nothing short of miraculous!

Due to the nature of his injuries, Sean has had to learn the basic functions of life all over again. Things that we all take for granted, such as walking, talking, feeding ourselves, or even thumbing through skate magazine were all foreign to him. Not only has he learned the basics, but he has done it at an astonishing rate. He talks a lot. Not only does he talk to his friends when they visit, but he talks to them on the phone and on the Internet (yes he is typing already)! He can walk with minimal aid, and can even navigate the stairs of his home on his own. As far as his social life, it was like he was never gone. If you try to call his house you can bet he is on the other line. That is if you can get through (most of the day he is online holding multiple conversations with skaters around the world). Every time I have gone to his house he has at least 4 or 5 visitors, mostly young ladies of course. He is also attending his High School Prom next month. At the rate he is improving he will probably be dancing by then.

Sean has shown us all what determination can do. Despite doctors predictions, he has beaten the odds tremendously. He will continue to conquer the odds for years to come. If you asked anyone close to him what has been his driving force, they will tell you it is his desire to skate again. From the time he was able to speak, all he has talked about was skating. He passed the time in the hospital watching skate videos and reading the latest issues of skate magazines. It is very evident that Chris (Edwards) was right when he told Sean that he would skate again on that first visit with him. Although he could not respond at that time, somehow I think those words stuck with him.

To help him along the way, USD has given Sean a brand new pair of Brian Shima Psirus's. It might be some time before Sean can comfortably ride his new skates, but you can be sure he will try to do it as soon as he can. In the mean time you might find him just hanging out online, entertaining guests at his house, talking on the phone, or even being a guest judge at the Skate Park Challenge. No matter what he is doing, you can bet that he is talking about skating.

There are so many people I can think of that Sean and his family would probably like to give thanks to. There are too many people to list on one page. On behalf of Sean's parents, family, and friends in the skating community I would like to give special thanks to Sean himself. Your courage, determination, and will to never give up has made you a role model to all of us. We all look forward to skating with you soon!