SAN DIEGO — A 10-year-old gymnast who is blind is showing the world you don't need sight to reach for the stars. In this Zevely Zone, I met the fearless fifth grader. Paisley Keller of Del Cerro is feisty, fun and fierce.
I met her at San Diego Gymnastics & Parkour in Point Loma. Blind since birth, Paisley fell in love with the Monkey Bars. Her mother Denise wanted to give her more opportunities so Paisley has been participating in gymnastics classes.
"I like the challenge. These ones are some of the scariest money bars I have ever done," said the high-flying fifth grader while swinging from bar to bar. "There are so many different types of monkey bars."
To watch Paisley soar, you'd think she could see her every move.
"She can't see anything," said Paisley's mother Denise. She told me it took time and testing for doctors to determine she was born blind. "It took us about nine months to get the confirmation and you know I grieved but what I got out of it was the most amazing child," said Denise.
Paisley told me she was four years old when she fell in love with the Monkey Bars. More than anything, she liked the way the challenge made her feel. "Oh crap, this is terrifying," laughed Paisley.
Yet, something told her to keep hanging on. "This is Cora," said Paisley introducing us to her friend. It's not surprising, that Paisley met her best friend on a playground. "At recess, she teaches me how to do monkey bars and stuff. She's way better than me," said Cora.
Whether it's at the gym or a fun day at the fair, the two girls are side by side. "You will never see anything more beautiful than their friendship," said Denise.
San Diego Gymnastics & Parkour covers all areas of San Diego -- 6 locations total in San Diego County. Locations feature a spring floor, air track, larger overall training area and additional parkour equipment, allowing the company more class and training program options.
Instead of Olympic medals, San Diego Gymnastics is searching for hearts of gold. "Isn't it amazing?" said Paige Conroy, CEO of San Diego Gymnastics & Parkour. "We have many programs for all kids and all abilities all skill levels," said Paige who sees courage and confidence in every kid. "When kids come through our programs they are learning things like not only strength, coordination, balance, but they are also learning resilience and fearlessness."
Whether Paisley's climbing a rope, attacking the uneven bars or tight-walking the balance beam, she is fearless. I asked her how she faces her fear.
"Uh, suck it up," said Paisley. That's an answer that would any mother proud.
"I really consider myself the luckiest mom, because I love her so much," said Denise.
When I asked Paisley about her biggest dream in life, this is what she told me. "Making sure my children are not failures at monkey bars," she said. Someday Paisley plans to offer this advice to her kids. "Find something you like and then just keep doing that," said Paisley.
Instead of getting "hung up" about what your child can and can't do, Denise says parents should celebrate diversity. "I just wouldn't change a thing about her and that's what I love about her she wouldn't change a thing about her either, she always says 'I don't want vision, I'm good, I'm good, I love being blind' and I love that she loves herself," said Denise with tears rolling down her face.
Founded in 2008, San Diego Gymnastics offers classes and programs to promote physical activity, including parkour, tumbling, alternative pre-school, an after school program, camps, parties, Kids' Night Out and open gym. San Diego Gymnastics is committed to the health and safety of all members and families and has trained instructors and coaches to ensure a great experience to keep kids moving. For more information, click here.
WATCH RELATED: Blind track star setting records in 100-meter dash