After losing his vision at 16, Brett Devloo refused to quit skateboarding. (Special to The Star)
When Brett Devloo suddenly lost his vision at 16, he feared his skateboarding days were over.
Nearly 15 years later, he’s not only still on a board – he’s inspiring others to see beyond their limitations.
Also known as “TBK – The Blind Kid,” the Aldergrove-based skateboarder and community advocate is now the focus of a new documentary, “Blind Corners”, which premieres Friday, Nov. 28, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Open Space in Abbotsford, 33765 Essendene Ave.
The film follows his journey from losing his sight as a teenager to rebuilding his identity through skateboarding, music, and giving back to the blind community.
“It’s about resilience. It’s about not giving up. It’s about just giving your all for what you believe in,” said Devloo.
He recalled a day from his high school history class in Manitoba.
“I was writing notes on the overhead projector, and next thing you know – gone,” he said. “I thought the overhead just got blurry, but then the lights went on and everything else was blurry too.”
After months of testing, doctors diagnosed him with Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), a rare mitochondrial DNA mutation that causes sudden vision loss.
“It took them five months to diagnose me,” he said.
But Devloo, who has been skateboarding since four years old, didn’t let blindness stop him.
“Skateboarding’s always been the closest thing to my heart,” he said. “Losing my sight didn’t slow me down, let alone stop me from skating.”
With the support of his parents and community, he learned to navigate life – and the skatepark – without vision.
Over the years, he founded a clothing line, launched a small music career, and created a foundation that provides iPads to blind children across Canada.
These devices allow students to use Apple’s built-in screen reader, VoiceOver, to help with schoolwork and creative projects.
“I realized no one else is out here to help us as visually impaired people,” said Devloo. “So I just did anything I could. I started the clothing line, selling T-shirts to raise money to get iPads for other blind kids.”
In the last decade, Devloo has donated six iPads. He said it might not seem like much but that he felt great starting the initiative.
Devloo’s story has drawn attention for years, and several people told him that he should share his story in a documentary. Funding and timing, however, never aligned – until recently.
“When I got back into skating and was sponsored by Hippie Mike Industries out in Hope, it just hit us – we should share this story.”
Teaming up with videographer Tim Barker, known for his work on major television productions, they rented an indoor skatepark for filming and began capturing his story.
“The world needs good news right now,” said Devloo.
“We’ve got a good story to tell – about perseverance, community, and hope. I’ve always believed if I can do something big, I can help others in the process.”
Filming wasn’t without its challenges.
Through the production, Devloo suffered a devastating injury attempting a stair set trick.
“I landed wrong and snapped my femur two inches below my hip. Then spiral fractured the rest of my femur,” he said.
Devloo refused to quit.
“Not only did I go back to skating from being blind, but I had to recover from a broken femur, and still went back to skating,” he said proudly.
Adding to the emotional depth, the documentary features interviews with Devloo’s family, his wife, and mentors like Hippie Mike.
It shows what it was like for his parents to watch their son lose his sight – and how they’ve witnessed him turn that loss into purpose.
Footage includes sessions at Hope’s indoor skatepark (HMI) and a trip to San Francisco, where Devloo landed a legendary jump down the EMB6 stairs.
“We thought it would take me an hour to land it,” he laughed. “I did it on the third try. I looked down and was like, ‘Oh my god, I’m still on it.'”
“Don’t let anything stop you, especially not something as silly as you not being able to see,” said Devloo.
The Abbotsford premiere will be more than a film screening.
Guest speakers include Hippie Mike, accessibility advocate David Lyons-Black, and Devloo’s basketball coach.
Light snacks and refreshments will be available throughout the evening, and tickets are $20, with additional donations accepted to support future projects.
People can learn more about the event at “TBK The Blind Kid” Facebook page or inquire by emailing [email protected].
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