Phoenix skateboarder Ernie Ibarra defies the odds

PHOENIX - Ernie Ibarra is just like any other skateboarder. He does all the tricks and takes the high flying risks that make skating such a rush. What makes him special, is that he does it all with only his hands.

The 24-year-old Phoenix man was born with Caudal Regression Syndrome. It’s a condition that causes abnormal development of the lower part of the body. In Ibarra's case, his legs were affected.

It’s a reality that has made his journey more difficult, but not impossible.

"At first, everybody looks at me like 'what's this guy doing here?'" said Ibarra. “But then they see me start doing my tricks and stuff and they're like 'oh, I get it' and then they come up and give me high-fives and tell me good job."

His love for skating began when he was nine years old. Then at fourteen a major surgery put his skateboarding dream on hold for several years.

"It prevented me from doing anything because I was so scared," he said.

Now Ernie says he's back and he's scaring the heck out of his wife.

“I love her for that you know? She supports me and she says I can do it so I go for it," he said. "But she gets scared. Sometimes when I do stuff I try looking at her face and she's freaking out."

His wife even shoots his YouTube videos for him. He hopes those videos will lead to bigger and better things.

"I have big plans. I want to be a pro skater hopefully soon. I just got a sponsor and I'm working on some things with them. I'm trying to do big things here."

With a winning attitude like that, the big things are sure to come.