Mikey Mendoza, 1997-Present
I had it toughest though, My brother and sister moved out leaving me destitute and all by myself when I was only 11 years old, by then my mum and dad's illness was far worse than it was when my brother and sister were my age.
We all had different ways to escape; mine was to go skateboarding. When I was at the skate park I forgot about all my problems, all of the sadness and all of the shit happening at home. It was just like letting go of what is happening, like freedom. Because I was left to my own devices I grew up much more mature than most 11 year olds, I had the self independence of a 21 year old man and I had all the street smart in the word, except... I didn't have any book smart.
My mum has paranoia schizophrenia, in a nut shell she'd be my mum one second and a different person the other. She would be so paranoid about people hurting me, and told me people at school would hurt me, and do terrible things to me. Of course like I said I was much more mature than the average 11 year old so I knew my mum and dad had an illness from day one, so I didn't believe a word. Except she'd tell me to go skateboarding instead of going to school.
I know almost for a fact that most kids if they were told that wouldn't think twice about it and would rather go do what they love best, and for me skateboarding is what I loved best. I just went to the skate park instead of school a lot. So much in fact I was literally 2 days from getting taken away from child services. I was so behind my school work they had a program that had a lady (Miss Sherryn) come to my class room every Tuesday for a whole year to help me out.
Sherryn and I are still very, very close. I pretty much call her my mum.
In regards to school though, if my mum and dad weren't sick, I would have needed an escape and most likely wouldn't have taken up skateboarding. I sure as hell wouldn't be sponsored by Red Bull and my life wouldn't be the same. If somebody told me that they have a big red button that will "undo or reverse" all the hardship I went through, the entire struggle I had to endure when I was younger I would say no, without question. Yes, life was absolutely crap. I had no school bag, money, or even food some nights, but... My life growing up has shaped me to be the person I am today. I didn't just build my positive outlook towards life out of nothing it was moulded from what I had to go through, I didn't just suddenly get the personality I have today. I had to be able to be open, talk to people in order for them to help me out. What I’m trying to say is, everything happens for a reason.
I have gained so many important traits essential for life through my upbringing. I wouldn't be the same person I am today without what has happened to me in my past. As Nike SB would say, "Respect the Past, Embrace the Future."
We were all much neglected; my mum and dad were seriously un-helpable. Some of my family did what they could to help out, which was seeing my own mother get taken away by the police to go to a mental institution. That was pointless. She was too far out...
Some of the family would buy some food for us sometimes. But they were not to be found when I needed them most. Like I said, I had it the worse out of the whole family.
I somehow graduated from Primary School. (Year 7) and was starting high school. Except there was one problem, My mum and dad were pretty much incapable to even fill out the paper work to get me enrolled, They had no money to buy me a good uniform and no money for a school bag, books and even food.
It was miserable, because I always felt like I never quite fitted in, and in some cases looked down upon. That is probably why I liked going skateboarding more because at school I felt I didn't fit in but at the skate park everybody envied me, because of my youth and skills. I was a quick learner and I loved it.
But one day my life changed forever, I was called to the office, and whenever that happened I can tell you now it was never for anything good, it was ether my mum or dad has done something bad or just something bad has happened in general. But this time it was different... I stepped into the Office with a curious and yet terrified look on my face just with the thought of why am I here?!?!
Then the lady at the front desk told me they are expecting me in the "School Councillor's" office. I was greeted by my aunty Lois, The school Councillor (Mrs Lodden) and a lady I didn't recognise. At first I undoubtedly thought I was doomed. All those times of me ditching school has caught up to me and this lady has to be from child services here to take me away. But, it was the biggest relief of my life. This strange unrecognisable lady sitting in front of me wasn't here to take me away, she was another aunty, Aunty Deb (Debbie Rasmussen) and they all met up that day to figure out a way to help me out. I guess it wasn't so sinister after all. My aunty Deb bought me a fresh Uniform that wasn't second hand and then invited me to go shopping for FREE?!? Even though I had only met this lady 10 minutes ago I was not in a thousand years going to refuse.
She took me to Robina Shopping Centre (Right next to Robina High school) and bought me books, bag, toothbrush, socks, undies all the essentials. I thought, she has to be a millionaire, there is no other way. So I asked her very politely if she could buy me a chicken pie (My favourite, I was starving) so she did.
Besides all the things she bought me that day Deb and I just clicked, we just got along and really liked each other.
She dropped me home and gave me her number. The rest is history.
I live with her and my Uncle (Alan Rasmussen) my mum's brother and have been for 4 years now. My life has changed forever because I now have a family. I now have food, money and everything I need. When I started High school at Elanora State High School I had next to no education but I worked so hard.
Because I wanted to impress Deb and Alan and because I now didn't want to feel left out, I actually fitted in for the first time. I have been going to Elanora State High school for 4 and a half years (Since year 8) and I am so proud that I am the School Captain this year. The whole school voted for me, (teachers, students... everyone) I won. I had to present a speech in front of the school. And I nailed it. 7 minutes off by heart.
Without my aunty and uncle I wouldn't have finished school. I wouldn't have had the chance to be school captain and I would have been a homeless bum. Most likely.
All I can say is everything happens for a reason.
I grew up in Mudgeeraba until I was 8 - 9 when we got evicted. We moved to reedy Creek. I grew up at Mudgeeraba Skate park where I had the support of the locals, They knew how hard it was for me back at home and I watched them Skate, (They were all much older than me) That's why I got good quick. I used to watch those much better than myself. (Playing Tennis with Roger Federer everyday and watching him would make you pretty good, Right?) So yeah, life has been very crazy. I never thought it would be like it is today.
In regards to what I do to get better, learn new tricks and ways to teach myself. It’s easy.
I go to the basketball court and skate there with my Ledge and Flat bar most afternoons and on weekends I go skating ether Street or Park and focus on the things I'm not so good at. Perfect them, and then move on.
You see with skateboarding, it is such an individual sport in which I don’t have to wait for the waves to be right, or the team to be all there I just go and do it myself. You don't have to rely on anyone. You just do it.
Here is the link to Mikey's website, http://mikeymendoza.com/
and here is his Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/mikeymendozalikepage?fref=ts
Soon he will be embarking on a 30km skate along the coast for a charity event, he aims to raise $400 and is currently at $180. If you wish to donate to his cause, head over to https://suqld.goregister.com.au/ks4kids2014/fundraise/page/100123557/
-Herbie
