Sasha, skateboarding & stammering

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Sasha (image courtesy of Dima Hohlov)

Ariel Yeh tells us how skateboarding has done wonders for her son Sasha's confidence.

Sasha is a bright and happy 9-year-old, and like me, his mum, he happens to have a stammer. Growing up in Taipei, Taiwan, I stammered all my life, so when we noticed Sasha starting to stammer at a young age, it wasn't a huge surprise. His stammer would come and go — it wasn't much of an issue at first. But after the lockdowns lifted we decided to see a speech and language therapist for some guidance.

The therapist greeted us wearing a mask, and after chatting they simply told us that what we were doing was just fine. It was a quick dismissal and we left feeling deflated, like we hadn't gained much clarity.

His skills introduce him before he even speaks, and once kids get to know him, they see beyond his stammer. 

For the most part, Sasha handles his stammer with amazing resilience. He's said to me before, "It's part of who I am. I'm a kid with a stammer," and I couldn't have been prouder. But there are also those hard nights when he cries himself to sleep, asking, "Why do I have this?"— and it's absolutely heartbreaking. Those moments will stay with me forever, leaving me with that helpless ache only a parent knows too well. All we can do is keep a positive attitude and help him see this challenge as just one part of his story.

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Talent & confidence

When Sasha was five, he started ice hockey and skateboarding. What began as a way to pass the time quickly became something more — he excelled at both. It was incredible to see his growth in two such different sports: one is a team effort, the other purely individual. On the ice or at the skatepark, he doesn't have to speak to anyone. He expresses himself through discipline and skill, and it's clear to anyone watching. 

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Sasha at the skatepark (image courtesy of Dima Hohlov)

In skateboarding, especially, Sasha's talent speaks for itself. The way he moves, his style — it's all noticeable. Kids at the skatepark, or even at other parks we visit, take notice too. They'll come up to him, impressed by his skills, eager to talk to him. When Sasha's in his element he becomes more confident to speak, and his stammer almost disappears. He'll chat with complete strangers, offering tips on how to land tricks, and you'd barely notice his stammer.

Skateboarding has done wonders for Sasha's confidence. It's become more than just a hobby — it's been a key to social interaction. His skills introduce him before he even speaks, and once kids get to know him, they see beyond his stammer. Now, we're trying to reach out to skateboarding brands to support Sasha and help bring awareness to kids with stammers in the skateboarding community.

You can see Sasha in action on his Instagram @sasha_and_savva 

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(Images courtesy of Sasha's father, Dima Hohlov. Go to dimahohlov.com for more or follow him on social media at @dimahohlovstudio)