Blind skateboarder finds perfect balance in studies

Josh Stundon (17) has been blind since birth but achieved the grades after studying at Castletroy College, Limerick. He has been in mainstream education all his life, learning with the aid of voice recognition technology and Braille.

Now his efforts have paid off, after he secured A grades in Spanish and music, and B grades in Irish, English and maths.

The youngest of three children, Josh, who lives in Corbally, Limerick, said he was shocked, and he now hopes to study law at the University of Limerick.

"I honestly had no idea what to expect. I hoped to pass, but I was a little bit surprised. I am just so happy to have come this far. It is a serious achievement for someone who is blind," he said.

The keen skateboarder has attracted 24,000 people to his videos on YouTube, where he is known as as "the blind skateboarder". He was taught to skate in America, and his other hobbies include playing the piano and studying the weather.

His mother Mary said: "I am just so proud of him. It's a major achievement for somebody who is blind even to finish second level, never mind getting a really good Leaving Certificate. He has had to work three or four times as hard, and has done so well."

His father Donal added: "I am incredibly proud."

Irish Independent