Delmace was born in Haiti in 2006 and abandoned by his birthparents at 10 months old after being diagnosed with Malaria, Tuberculosis, failure to thrive, clubfeet and a noticeable physical disability that caused his legs to be fixed in a bowed position. After 8 months in the hospital he was transferred to a home for abandoned children with disabilities. Here he met Cathy, who would eventually become his mom. She brought Delmace home in 2010, just shy of his 4th birthday.
Delmace has been using a wheelchair since age 2. When he was 7 he started following Wheelchair Motocross (WCMX) and was fascinated with extreme wheelchair athlete Aaron Fotheringham. For his 8th birthday Delmace went to Texas to participate in a clinic led by Aaron. Delmace and Cathy then saved and crowd-funded for a custom built WCMX BOX wheelchair. Delmace entered his first WCMX competition at age 10 and placed 3rd in the Intermediate Division at the WCMX World Championships. Later that year he was awarded “Best Young Talent” at another competition in Venice Beach, CA.
“Delmace has been using a wheelchair since he was 2 - but he has never let it slow him down. He has been fascinated with Wheelchair Motocross since he was 7. His friends often forget about his mobility challenges because he keeps up so well. He cruises on his adaptive bike, rides skateboards, climbs jungle gyms, walks on his hands and breakdances.” - Cathy, Delmace’s mom
In 2017, Delmace returned to the WCMX World Championships where he took top honors in the Intermediate Division. He was a World Champion at age 11.
Delmace uses a Colours Saber Jr rigid frame wheelchair for everyday use. It is much lighter than his previous chair and more responsive for his active lifestyle. He has two other chairs - one for WCMX and another for wheelchair basketball.
“It is truly amazing what Delmace has achieved through his inner strength and perseverance and the unwavering love and support from Cathy. He hates being told he can’t do something and will usually figure out a way to prove that he can.” - Ian, Delmace’s Assistive Technology Professional