Breaking Boundaries in Motion

NHM Online Presents L.A. on Wheels, an online series celebrating the diversity of Los Angeles and its people through the lens of creative modes of transportation.

For Kanya Sesser, skateboarding isn’t just a sport—it’s a revolution. Born without legs, Kanya has never seen wheels as a limitation but as a way to define her own movement through the world. Skateboarding unlocked not just mobility, but a fierce sense of freedom and purpose, allowing her to shatter expectations at every turn. In the iconic skateparks of Venice Beach, she forged her own path, carving out space where few dared to imagine. Watch the video below to hear her story. 

Wheels of Change

Born in Thailand and adopted into a suburban life in Oregon, Kanya Sesser grew up with a love for speed, adventure, and anything that felt a little reckless. She got her first taste of skateboarding at nine years old, hanging out with neighborhood kids in the cul-de-sac.

I saw my friend on her skateboard and thought, 'What? I want to ride on that!' There was this gnarly hill right by our house. I heard a car coming, the board started wobbling, and I had to bail. It was wild—and I loved it. I knew right then, 'I needed a skateboard of my own.'

Years later, it was in the heart of Los Angeles, at the intersection of skate and street culture, Kanya found not only inspiration but a platform—a city that champions reinvention.  In Venice Beach, she didn’t just find a place to skate—she found a community that lived by the same fearless spirit. And it was in L.A. that she realized: what she had been doing all along had a name. Adaptive skating. Adaptive skating is all about throwing out the rulebook—it's skateboarding that's reimagined, remixed, and made for every body, pushing the culture forward with new styles, new stories, and no limits.

There is no limit in Los Angeles, and there is no limit to myself. That’s why I started my campaign, ‘No Legs, No Limits'.

 

Thriving in Motion

Kanya Sesser doesn’t just ride skateboards—she thrives in motion. From skateboarding to wheelchair motocross to snowboarding and surfing, she’s carved out a path defined by motion, mastery, and momentum. Her fearless approach to adaptive sports has taken her to new heights—literally—when she smashed the world record for the longest handstand on a skateboard, holding herself up for a jaw-dropping 19.65 seconds. A trailblazer on and off the board, Kanya’s no stranger to standing out. In 2010, she competed at the U.S. Paralympics Track and Field National Championships, and more recently, joined other local parathletes for the Paralympic Handover ceremony in L.A.—a symbolic moment marking the close of the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics. Her hope? That she and her fellow Angeleno athletes will return to represent the city on the world stage when the 2028 Games arrive. Because for Kanya, the ride is never over—it only gets bigger.

Redefining Beauty & Representation 

Kanya Sesser isn’t just an athlete—she’s also a model, an actress, and a force to be reckoned with. She didn’t wait for the industry to make space—she crashed through the front door. Modeling. Acting. Owning every scene she enters. With wheels under her and fire in her voice, she tears down the tired ideas of beauty and perfection, showing the world what real power looks like. With her wheels, her grit, and her fearless voice, Kanya proves that when you own your difference, you change the game for everyone.

Paving the Way for Others

 Kanya’s accomplishments know no bounds. In addition to breaking boundaries in movement, she's also rewriting the script on what’s possible in primetime with roles in Hawaii Five-O, Code Black, and The Walking Dead. Her visibility in sports and media has had an undeniable impact, showing that representation isn’t just powerful—it’s necessary. 

Through her 'No Legs, No Limits' campaign, she’s championed advocacy for folks who are differently-abled. Kanya is helping reimagine what inclusive motion really looks like—whether it’s on a skateboard, in a wheelchair, or any other set of wheels. Kanya's advocacy extends beyond inclusive spaces for athletes. As an international speaker and fierce advocate for women, people with disabilities, and adopted children, she brings lived experience and unstoppable energy to every space she enters. Through speeches, media appearances and collaborations, Sesser thus uses her celebrity to give voice to adoptee communities and to promote inclusivity in sports, media representation and city life.

Keep on Rollin'

Kanya Sesser’s story is a powerful reminder that movement is for everyone—and every wheel has a story to tell. L.A. on Wheels celebrates those who ride their own way, challenge norms, and open doors for others to roll through. Want to keep up with Kanya? Follow her journey on Instagram @kanyasesser and explore her 'No Legs, No Limits' campaign to support adaptive athletes and inclusive spaces. Whether you're pushing for more accessible skateparks, cheering on adaptive sports, or simply rethinking what movement looks like, there’s a role for you in building a city that moves for all. 

Do you know another Angeleno who connects with their community on wheels? We want to hear from you! Join the conversation on social media and tag us @NHMLA with #LAonWheels.