‘I love doing what I do because I think we make a difference’

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - For action sports star Bucky Lasek, whose left knee has been scoped more times than outer space, the last place in the world he wants to be is a hospital.

“I try to avoid going to the emergency room at all costs no matter how bad I injure myself riding,” said the 35-year-old Dundalk native in town for the AST Dew Tour’s Panasonic Open.

But the trip he and several of his tour mates made to Johns Hopkins Children’s Center on Wednesday was one he was happy to make — a trek made more out of goodwill than failure to land a cheap thrill.

Under the shadow of Hopkins’ famed dome and a sun-drenched sky, BMX superstar Jamie Bestwick entertained the kids by jumping his bike over fellow stars Ryan Nyquist and Chad Kagy. Lasek took the role as one-on-one ambassador, signing posters, distributing stickers and making many of the seriously ill children feel as if they were the top vert skaters in the world.

He could have just as easily held a sign that read: “Will Work for Giggles.”

Lasek, the father of three girls, reflected on how life isn’t all nose grinds and gold medals.

“Life is hard when you’re not dealt a good hand,” he said. “You kind of have to step outside, take the blinders off and see what’s going on in the real world to get a bigger picture of what people are going through. Seeing kids smile is what I enjoy most in life.”

And if the dozen kids they visited on the Hopkins’ Orioles Wives Play Deck — a playground where any kid can be a kid and sidewalk chalk has no boundaries — were judges, Lasek and his crew scored a perfect 10.

“I love these guys: They’re awesome,” said one child who would have had an easier time deciding among beets, squash and steamed carrots for dessert than choosing his favorite action sports star.

The magnitude of the visit was not lost on Kim Hoppe, the Children Center’s assistant director.

“It’s a nice distraction for the kids,” he said. “They look forward to things like this being on the calendar. It gives them a chance to feel a sense of normalcy.”

After the two-hour visit and countless smiles, a visibly shaken Lasek struggled to describe what he felt as he left the facility.

“Man, I don’t know,” he said. It’s hard to comprehend what the kids are feeling and what their family’s thoughts are. I don’t want to come in there and act like ‘oh, I’m this guy and you should be happy now.’ It doesn’t matter if I skate or if I’m a Joe Schmoe. I’m always going to try to bring a happy vibe no matter where I am.”

It’s easy to see Lasek has his priorities straight even if his nose, which looks like it’s been broken more times than a prize fighter’s, isn’t: One, family. Two, skating, Three, giving back to the community.

“I love doing what I do because I think we make a difference,” said the 18-year pro. “We need more skate parks. We need to be better parents. Boredom is the devil’s workshop and if we’re worried about kids getting into drugs and hanging out with the wrong people, we have to give them outlets. If I didn’t start [skateboarding] there is no telling what I would’ve gotten into.”

For Lasek, a guy who makes a living risking his life, taking the time to add joy to the lives of other comes as easy as an ollie. He has no plans to hang up his helmet anytime soon.

“I’m still charging it. I’m not on cruise control. I’ve still got the pedal down full speed ahead. I’m still checking my rearview mirrors,” he said in his Baltimore-meets-Southern California accent. “I just want to skate as long as I can and make people happy.”

Tony Giro is a lifelong Baltimore sports fan who blogs on examiner.com for fans. If you subscribe — it’s free — you’ll be e-mailed each time Tony posts a column. He can be reached at timeout@baltimoreexaminer.com.

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