Above Coping

Our Humble Website…

admin — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:31:09 +0000

Thanks for checking out our website, which resembles a deserted island. Please be patient with us as we develop…

Until then, please follow us on our facebook page .

Above Coping Meets Chemo Pals

admin — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 21:22:23 +0000

Above Coping had the amazing opportunity to visit with several families involved with the Children’s Cancer Association Chemo Pals program on December 10th. At this art clinic, 15 youth and their families were able to get above coping by learning about the creative history of skateboard art while designing and painting their own skateboards. The children were thrilled as they created their masterpieces, and the smiles were many!

The children first sketched their ideas while studying images of popular skateboards, then transferred their design to their own deck while helping themselves to pizza donated by Flying Pie, and teddy bears from Children’s Cancer Association.

Special thanks to: Kacy, Danielle, Jeannie, Jess, Kelly, Flying Pie, and all of the families who attended this successful event!

Art Exhibit December 3rd

admin — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 16:57:43 +0000

Dropping in!

admin — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 20:14:25 +0000

Friday, June 11th was a very important day in the life of Michael, as well as Above Coping. We hosted our first fund-raising event at Errata Art Gallery to officially present our mission to the skateboard community on a grand scale. Thanks to the tremendous help from the skateboard community, we raised nearly $1,200 in funds through donations, raffle tickets, and silent auction!

There were many high profile members of the skateboard community present at this event including: Mark Conahan, Bryce Kanights, Paul Fujita, Rich Burton, Chet Childress, Steven Reeves, Omar Hassan, Brent Atchley, Ben Krohn, Donovan Rice, Dave Tobin, and many others. Michael was thrilled when he was presented a skateboard containing the autographs of these amazing skaters.

Michael talking with Mark Conahan about the art on his signature deck.

Heath and Jacob handling the details of the raffle.

Chet and Omar sighted giving tips to Michael, who is hidden from this picture!

Michael Montgomery

admin — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 10:51:00 +0000

Michael Montgomery’s favorite animal is the wolf, he has a strong connection to his Native-American heritage, and he loves skateboarding. All of these aspects of Michael’s life were the basis and inspiration to create a signature-model skateboard deck, designed in collaboration with Mark Conahan, a Portland, Oregon skateboarder/graphic designer.

I was a volunteer mentor when I met Michael. He and his family expressed interest in being part of a mentoring program to gain additional support through the many struggles Michael endured as a result of his chronic health condition, Cystic Fibrosis. We were matched through a local agency because both of us shared the same passion: skateboarding. It sounded like a good fit to me!

On our first outing to a skate-park, he dropped into a pool larger than anything he had done so far, and fell. He slid on his chest, and lifted up his shirt to expose a tube that was used to administer food and medication more easily and directly to his stomach. You can imagine my reluctance to allow him to continue skating. However, Michael was as persuasive as he was determined, and the next time he went up to the deck and dropped in, he rolled smoothly through the transition.

The look on his face was one I had seen on other skateboarders. It was one of unwavering pride without a trace of doubt. He transcended his fear, focused, and rode away. Skaters need these intense thrills in order to overcome life’s frustrations in a healthy way. Michael was more than just coping with his condition; he was above it!