Blind teenager the wheel deal on YouTube

BEING blind has not diminished teenager Josh Stundon’s spirit of adventure.

Since the age of 10 he has been able to drive his dad’s high-powered, motocross bike.

He also goes behind the wheel of the family car when on holidays.

And now his skill on a skateboard has made him a YouTube hit.

Josh, 17, from Corbally in Limerick has been blind since age four months.

As well as adventure, Josh’s studious side got him enough points in his Leaving Certificate to commence a law degree course at the University of Limerick (UL) next month where he will join his twin sister, Robin, who is studying nursing at UL and where his brother Luke, 21, is also enrolled.

At age 10, Josh got to learn to ride his dad’s powerful motorbike.

He said: “My dad used to bring me out on the Shannon Fields near where we live and I got to know how to ride the bike and use the throttle and brakes. I could clip along nice and lively with my dad sitting behind giving me steering instructions.”

His dad, Donal, said that Josh got a real kick and exhilaration when biking.

Each summer the Stundon’s holiday at their home in Florida.

When there, Josh goes behind the wheel of the family car.

Donal said: “We go to the carpark of a huge supermarket at night when it is empty and Josh drives the car there.”

In Florida three years ago, Josh learned to skateboard.

A video of him called The Blind Skateboarder has attracted almost 30,000 hits.

Holidaying in Florida over the years has resulted in Josh becoming an acknowledged expert locally on hurricanes, which hit the state regularly.

He said: “I can sense when a hurricane would strike and give warnings. I would like to have become a meteorologist, but maps would have posed a problem.”

When not seeking adventure or busy with studies, Josh likes to relax playing the piano at which he has attained grade 7.