SCI Superstar: Erik Kondo

Erik Kondo, a happily married man and father from Massachusetts, has a superhero alter-ego. Internet famous for balancing his manual wheelchair on a motorized keyboard, he’s also a martial arts expert with a third degree black belt. But what makes him a true superstar is what he does for others.

Passionate about advocating for low-cost adaptive sport equipment, and passionate about teaching adaptive self-defense to as many people with disabilities as possible, Erik is a man to be reckoned with. Read on for his story.

Why He’s Fearless

A motorcycle accident in the 1980’s at age 19 is how Erik became a paraplegic. After sustaining a T4-5 injury, he wasn’t interested in dwelling on the negative. Within 5 months, he was back enjoying life as normally as he could. Getting injured at this age however is never easy, especially in an era when really good wheelchairs were yet to be widely available. But Erik, who’s now married and has grown three kids, harnessed his fighter personality like a pro.

When he was 30, after doing a bit of handcycling and skiing, Erik decided to try martial arts; jujitsu to be specific. He fell in love with the martial art and became a third degree black belt. Being a T4-5 paraplegic, his balance is not great for many of the moves, but he’s able to do most of them in spite of this difficulty.

After he exceled at jujitsu and self-defense, he went on to found a nonprofit devoted to adaptive self-defense, Not-Me! They show at-risk individuals what they need to do to defend themselves, and wheeler-user tips are part included. He’s made many educational videos on adaptive self-defense on his Youtube channel.

Erik has also helped protect woman with disabilities online. He helped target, identify and alert the appropriate people regarding predators, devotees and lurkers. He also created a free online presentation instructing women how to prevent trolls/predators. Watch

He also runs a stair climbing blog, giving tips on climbing stairs if you can’t walk. Check it out

What’s Next?

Self-defense videos are just some of what Erik likes to create. He’s also made several videos showing mobility skills in an inaccessible world. From climbing stairs and going down a hill like a badass to doing a wheelie to pop a curb like a pro, Erik has no fear and loves to share his tricks with the world. He became internet famous in fact for his ability to balance his back wheels on a motorized skateboard. Watch

This skill and many others skills are some of what he teaches on his newest venture, Red Pill Innovations (yes, a Matrix reference). This in-depth site gives DIY solutions for adaptive mobility so everyone can participate in the joy of movement. 

After a spinal cord injury, it can be hard finding you’re niche in the world. What’s great about Erik is that he’s carved himself a niche in the disability world that we all needed. A mutually beneficial niche, so to speak, and it couldn’t be any better.

— Erik’s site, Red Pill Innovations

– Erik’s nonprofit: NOT-ME!

— Follow Erik on Instagram @wheelchairboarding