Phoenix man is beating the odds, strives to be the best father
Jun 16, 2019, 4:21 AM
(Photo courtesy of Ernie Ibarra)
(Photo courtesy of Ernie Ibarra)
PHOENIX — Ernie Ibarra was born with a disability called caudal regression syndrome, causing him to be born without part of his spine. He also can’t walk because of his legs.
“My legs are not long like a normal human being,” he said. “Mine are super short, super small.”
But he’s beating the odds to be the best dad he can be. He has two sons with his wife, and the couple recently took in three kids from his sister-in-law.
The biggest lesson he tries to teach his kids: ignore the bullies.
“I try teaching them always be happy, if someone is bullying you just ignore it,” he said.
He has had to deal with plenty of bullying himself, with people pointing and laughing at him. But he has learned to look past it.
He gets around mostly on his skateboard. He got his first skateboard at age 3 and has been improving his techniques ever since, earning him the nick name “Krazie Legz.”
He also competes in skateboard competitions. Recently, he won second place at a skateboard competition in California and first place at another competition in Florida.
For Ibarra, there are no limitations. And he lives his life to the fullest.
“I like being the happy guy,” he said. “I like being somebody who you can laugh with.”
