Blind skateboarder fundraises to donate iPads to visually impaired youth

Brent Devloo says his iPad is the reason he was able to graduate high school after he suddenly became blind in the 11th grade. 

Now, the Langley resident is fundraising to give iPads to other visually impaired youth. 

Devloo was 16 when he lost his vision one day in history class in 2011. He was eventually diagnosed with a rare DNA mutation called Leber hereditary optic neuropathy, which can cause sudden vision loss. 

He said his mom's friends donated an iPad to him at the time. The built-in screen-reading technology called Voiceover helped him do his homework.  

"It's the reason I finished school because I was able to type and read and do everything quickly without learning a whole computer," he said. 

He says the technology also helped him start his clothing line, "The Blind Kid." He uses the funds from it to purchase iPads for other blind kids. 

So far, Devloo has given away five iPads and says he has just about enough money for another one. 

He hopes to inspire kids who become blind to not only continue their schooling but to return to their passions as soon as they can. 

WATCH | Devloo working on documentary: 

Blind B.C. skater working on documentary to raise funds to help blind kids

5 days ago

Duration 11:11

Brett Devloo lost his vision 13 years ago, but it didn't stop him from skateboarding and adapting to limited vision at the skate park. He and his friend, Mike Faux, are working on a documentary on Devloo's life to raise funds and buy tablets to help blind kids.

For him, it was skateboarding—a sport he considered challenging even when he still had his sight. 

But instead of viewing it as a challenge, Devloo said he found it freeing. 

"If I'm at a skatepark, I've got to start at the corner and just go by feeling … and eventually build up enough commitment and bravery," he said. 

Devloo also pursued another passion — creating music — using his iPad, an endeavour that put him on Stevie Wonder's radar and landed him the opportunity to record music with Wonder's producer. 

Devloo said becoming blind made him grow up quickly, and he hopes his gifts can make that process a little easier for others. 

"I can help kids with school and connect them to creativity, and just because I knew how much it helped me," said Devloo. 

Documentary in the works

Mike Faux, owner of the indoor HMI Skatepark in Hope and a friend of Devloo, is working with Devloo to create a documentary about his experience as a blind skateboarder. 

The two became friends when Devloo started visiting Faux's skatepark. 

"Every time I see Brett out there, it just blows my mind," said Faux, who is a skateboarding instructor and has taught Olympians in the past.

"This documentary is going to show that to people, and it's going to inspire them that nothing can stop you." 

Devloo hopes the documentary will inspire those who find themselves in the situation he was in. And his message to those youth? 

"Let it piss you off when people tell you that you can't do something."