Pam Miller, Sky's mother, said he was working hard to get ready. While mom was watching, Sky had a mishap and slid out on the bottom of a ramp.

"I told him 'you're tired, let's go,'" Pam said. "He replied with 'and I broke my arm,' as if he said he had to tie his shoelace."

Pam drove her son to the ER at Valley Medical Center where orthopedic surgeon William Barrett, M.D. was on call. Dr. Barrett examined Sky's arm and reviewed the x-rays. Then he delivered the news.

"Sky needed surgery to repair the break. We did it that evening," Dr. Barrett said.

"They got Sky right in and reassured him," Pam said. "Dr. Barrett explained the risk factors and why surgery was necessary."

After surgery, Sky and his mom learned the good news. Dr. Barrett was able to reset Sky's arm without having to use pins or screws. But, Sky's arm had to be set in a full cast and the skating competition was only three weeks away.

At the time of his injury, Sky was ranked sixth in the World Cup Skateboarding Pro Bowl. Skating in the Pro-tec Pool Party meant an opportunity to move up in the rankings.

In 10 years of skating, Sky has always worn protective gear and has had relatively few injuries. Breaking his arm has been the most serious.

"When you have a passion for any sport, it comes with risks," Sky said.

Sky was willing to continue taking risks to do what he loves, even if it meant skating with a cast.

"I asked honest questions about what I wanted to do and found out honestly what the answers were and what the consequences would be," Sky said.

Dr. Barrett fully explained to Sky what could happen if he were to fall and re-injure his arm.

"We talked about the risks and I gave recommendations on home therapy. He had all of the information he needed to make a decision for himself," Dr. Barrett said.

On May 16, Sky skated in the main Pro-tec Pool Party event - in a full arm cast - and placed 13 among 27 professionals from around the globe. That placement pushed him from sixth to fifth in the Pro Bowl ranking.

"I know Sky is not a huge risk taker but with the care and understanding he got from VOA, he had the drive to rise to the top," Pam said. "I'm very proud of the young man he is."

Following his injury and surgery, Pam drove Sky from Bothell to VOA in Renton for all of his needed appointments. After he returned from the skating competition, Sky went from a full-arm cast to a short cast. Six weeks after surgery, Sky was out of the cast.

"I would encourage anyone I know if they have a sports-related injury, to drive to VOA," Pam said.

Sky said Dr. Barrett and the staff at VOA fully respected what he does as an athlete.

"All I can say is thank you," the now 15-year-old skateboarder said.

Since the May event, Sky has continued skating in competitions. After a competition the weekend of Aug. 8, he was ranked third in the World Cup Skateboarding Pro Bowl.

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