'Blind Can't Skateboard?' Northwestern Student Proves Different

Perry, a European sporting equipment company, released a video in December featuring Northwestern University's Tommy Carroll, blind since two and skateboarding since 10.

Carroll, who grew up in Glenview, was born with a retinal cancer that caused him to go blind, he says in the video. 

The video features him describing his hobby, his use of sound to skate and navigate, and the confidence he gets from wearing protective gear.

According to McSweeney's, an online literary magazine, Carroll studies journalism and international studies at Northwestern University. 

"There were people who discouraged me. They were like, 'There’s no way. You’re going to kill yourself. Blind people can’t skateboard.' So I just ignored them," he told the magazine.