Marie Porter, of Butler, pushes her son, Lincoln, 4, on a steel rail at Father Marinaro Skate Park in Butler, while Jonathan Stark, of Tarentum, helps balance Luke during the rail grind trick on Monday. Lincoln has spina bifida, and Stark was paralyzed at the age of 18. Cary Shaffer/Butler Eagle

Lincoln Porter can walk, run and even jump around like many other 4-year-olds, but a birth defect affecting his back and lower limbs prevents him from participating in some sports.

Over the summer, Lincoln’s family began taking him to Father Marinaro Skate Park, where his wheelchair could go down ramps and roll around the obstacles alongside other skaters, despite his spina bifida.

On Monday, Lincoln got a glimpse at how far he could take that skill, when wheelchair motocross (WCMX) athlete Jonathan Stark hit the ramps at Father Marinaro. This further emphasized the idea that people of different abilities can participate along with everyone else.

“The community we’re in is very open and willing to help in any way they can,” said Lincoln’s mom, Marie Porter, of Butler, “and we just want to make sure families have opportunities for their kids.”

Oct. 25 is World Spina Bifida Day, and Marie said she asked Stark to visit the park to increase visibility of wheelchair sports.

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