Injuries can’t keep this skating pair down

“We’ve been skating together for about a year. Within that time, I broke my elbow and she broke her ankle. That’s it, besides little nicks, scrapes and stuff like that. We’re both in our 40s, so we try to protect ourselves as much as we can.”

“For three months after my surgery, I couldn’t walk on that leg. After being so active and building this community of friends skating with us, life just being indoors got pretty frustrating. Then he got me one of those knee scooters, so at least I could go out to the skate parks with him. When I finally got the doctor’s OK to get back out there, I returned to the skate park where the accident happened. I told myself, ‘Just do it,’ and I began testing my limits to see what I could do. It’s taken a lot of patience to get back to where I was before. And the memory of getting hurt is still right there. I don’t know how to make it go away. I’ve just tried to quiet those thoughts and gradually build up my confidence again.”

Are you accepted by the younger skaters?
“Yeah, I think so. Every now and then you get that, ‘Oh, look at them’ kind of thing. But after they see us make a few runs, it’s all cool.”

“Most everyone we skate around are in their late 20s and early 30s. There were two couples our age, but they kind of backed out of it and haven’t stayed as active. But we keep going. We really enjoy it. It’s great exercise, and it definitely makes us feel younger than our years.”

— Lino Hernandez and Sherry Carabes

They skate at parks all around the Houston area, and enjoyed a skate adventure to the Grand Canyon. Next up: Venice Beach in California. Check them out on Instagram @lino_mcqueenhtx and @sharebearhtx.