IMPACTING LIVES ONE BIKE AT A TIME
"This bike will help with her bone health and as a part of exercise."
Ella W., 15, Delaware
Carnitine Translocase Deficiency, Anoxic brain injury, Epilepsy
Ella, a 15-year-old, is an exceptional little girl. She lives at home with her older brother and mom. She likes to be out in the public and be social. She has continuing hip issues so riding a bike would be great for all her joints. It will be helpful for her bone health and a part of the exercise. We are excited and ready to go out in the world and have fun riding a bike. We currently have one that Ella has outgrown and we desperately want and need a properly fitting bike.
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: Other
"Biking is my favorite!"
Jacob H., Kent
Multiple Disabilities
Jacob had a trike a couple of years ago and absolutely loved it! He was fit and active with it and it was one of his favorite activities. His bike had been broken for a while now. This will be a great opportunity for him to get a bike and enjoy bike rides again.
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: Therapist
"I can’t wait to have my own bike."
Anayla W., 18, Kent
Multiple Disabilities
Anayla is a nonverbal and intensive student in terms of her physical abilities. She loves being active in her stander and walker at school.
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: Therapist
"I’m excited to ride my bike with my family!"
Mya G., 10, Mt. Sterling
Cerebral Palsy and Muscle Spasticity
Mya would love to have a bike that she is able to ride with the rest of the family. She has always been interested in riding bikes, but traditional bikes have always been too difficult. Having a bike that she can use will help her reach her therapy goals and strengthen her body.
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: Nationwide Children’s Hospital
"Kyona will be all smiles once she gets her own bike."
Kyona W., 16, Kent
Cerebral Palsy
Kyona loves to be outside but there is little for her to do due to her condition. This adaptive bike would help her and our family enjoy being outside because we know Kyona will be all smiles and get a chance to really enjoy the outdoors. Kyona likes to joke around, talk to her friends and family on the phone and draw. Kyona's passion is to work and be as independent as she can.
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: Therapist at Akron
"A bike will allow her to explore outside in a safe, fun way, just like the other kids."
Juliana W., 4, Findlay
Cerebral Palsy, 1p36 Deletion Syndrome
Juliana is turning 5 this summer. We would love for her own, safe bike to be a birthday gift for her. She is very active and loves to explore the world around her, though she is not able to walk independently (yet!). A bike would allow her to explore outside in a safe, fun way, just like the other kids. Thank you for considering Juliana!
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: Past recipient of Bikes to Go Program
"Getting his own bike will make Justin supper happy."
Justin G., 13, Hilliard
Down Syndrome
Justin loves riding adaptive bike at his school. He gets really motivated to ride and exercise. I believe this makes him feel happy and this is the the only form of Physical Therapy outside of school that he enjoys.
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: School
"She is a very loving little girl and she will be so happy to have one of these bikes of her own."
KaShara B., 5, Charleston (WV)
Type One Diabetes
KaShara is a ball of energy everyday. For the last 2 months we have been in the hospital due to undiagnosed type 1 diabetes which caused a severe sezuire and lack of oxygen to her brain that caused brain damage. So she has weakness on her left side and have been working on walking again. When she gets on one of these bikes in therapy she absolutely loves it. She doesn't want to get off of it. She will be able to ride a bike with her sister and friends at the playground during the summer like most kids do. She will get the exercise that she needs and helping strengthen her leg. She loves being outside playing, she loves to play with her toys and stuff animals, loves to watch her cartoons. She is a very loving little girl and she will be so happy to have one of these bikes of her own.
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: Therapist
"We are so excited for him to have his own bike!"
River B., 4, Akron
Autism
He is a very busy four-year-old who never stops moving. He loves cars, trucks, books, running everywhere and very fast. He loves to be outside as much as possible. He doesn't like the word "no" at all and gets extremely upset if he can't get something done the way he wants. The bike would benefit him being outside and help his balance and coordination.
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: Therapist
"We love seeing Chloe happy. This bike is very important to her."
Chloe S., 3, Streetsboro
TBI
Chloe was shaken at 10 weeks old by her biological father. Since then, Chloe has to watch her siblings run and play from her chair. Her spirit is never broken, she’s always a ray of sunshine but an adaptive bike would give Chloe a touch of normalcy in her life.
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: Therapist
BIKES FUNDED!
“Having the extra support and being able to ride a bike would mean the world to Baylee! ”
Baylee N., 4
Menkes Disease
Baylee is a happy little girl who despite setbacks from her disease works so hard to do the things her big sister does!
Sponsor: Peer-to-Peer Friends and Family
Referring Partner: Akron Children’s Hospital
Cora M., 5
Spina Bifida
Cora is a very active 5 year old. She started Kindergarten this year and is thriving! Cora stays active with swimming and playing sled hockey;she loves to play outside with her brother, friends, and the neighborhood kids. Cora was able to get a hand tricycle that was perfect for her a couple of years ago and she loved taking bike rides in the neighborhood. After 2 years with that trike, she has outgrown it and we are eager to get her riding again with her friends and family! Having an adaptive bike gives Cora the mobility and independence that she doesn’t always have in her wheelchair.
Sponsor: Adaptive Sports Connection Donors
“(while testing a bike at Pedal with Pete event) I can’t believe the smile on his face when he rides!”
Kennedy, 6, from Columbus
Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Kennedy enjoys playing outside and spending time with his family. Riding a bike can help keep him healthier and enjoying life. He can build up his strength and become more independent.
Sponsor: Pedal with Pete
“Owen can’t wait to have his very own bike!”
Owen W., 5
Cerebral Palsy
Owen currently has a tricycle but due to his diagnosis he cannot keep his left foot on the pedal and cannot use his left hand to hold the handlebars. He also has a difficult time getting his leg high enough to get on and off the tricycle. Having an adaptive bike will give him the opportunity to ride with freedom and independence. He cannot wait to have his very own bike!
Sponsor: Adaptive Sports Connection Donors
Referring Partner: Akron Children's Hospital
“Sophia is a very motivated young girl who just wants to ride a bike and will benefit from it in more ways than one!”
Sophia M., 13
Massive Stroke, Moyamoya, Adrenal insufficiency, growth delays, lymphedema
Sophia is 13 years old and had a massive stroke in 2018 due to the stroke she is partially paralyzed on her right side. She loves to ride bikes, play basketball and draw! She would love to have the freedom to be able to ride bikes with her sisters again!
Sponsor: Peer-to-Peer Friends and Family
Referring Partner: Akron Children's Hospital
“Jordan and his family are so excited for him to be able to ride with them on family bike rides!”
Jordan H., 12
Spastic Cerbral Palsy
Jordan is a 12 year old boy who has 3 brothers and 1 sister and he is the joy of his whole family's life! Jordan has spastic quadraplegic cerbral palsy with other medical conditions that require alot of care. His family tries very hard to fit him in to what the rest of the family is doing and are so excited for him to be able to ride with them! A bike would be amazing for the family so he can go on bike rides with the family instead of getting pushed in his wheelchair which also will allow hime to get exercise for his legs!
Sponsor: Adaptive Sports Connection Donors
Referring Partner: Akron Children’s Hospital
“An Adaptive Bike will be life changing for our family and for Cherysh!"
Cherysh S., 7
MECP2 Duplication Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Epilepsy
Cherysh is a happy and playful 7 year old who greets each challenge with a smile! She has a neurological disorder that comes with lots of disabilities and health problems. Every new skill she gains is at risk of becoming permanently lost once regressions begin and her disorder can be fatal. She is very smart and strong and does all she can to feel like a "normal" kid despite her challenges. Her disorder affects her muscles and mobility and makes it hard to ride a bike as she doesn't have the strength although she tires anyway. An adaptive bike would help her with her physical therapy that is so vital to maintaining her mobility. It will allow her a sense of accomplishment and normalcy in her unordinary life.
Sponsor: Adaptive Sports Connection Donors
Referring Partner: Akron Children's Hospital
“I want to ride too!”
Martha L., 17, Columbus
Spastic Triplegia
A bicycle would do so much to help Martha get some exercise that would strengthen her legs and muscles. She has nothing else that can do what a bike could do. She could go to the park and enjoy the summer more.
Sponsor: Adaptive Sports Connection Donors
Referring Partner: Nationwide Children’s Hospital
"Karlie can’t wait to ride her very own adaptive bike!"
Karlie C., 6
Syngap 1
Karlie is a super friendly and outgoing six year old girl! She perks up when she hears her favorite bluegrass music and favorite show Boss Baby. She was recently diagnosed with Syngap 1 and even though she has special needs she never lets that get her down!
Sponsor: Peer-to-Peer Friends and Family
Referring Partner: Akron Children’s Hospital
Every child deserves a chance to learn how to ride a bike – to feel the freedom and fun with friends and family. For thousands of central Ohio children with disabilities, the access, cost, and training for the right adaptive equipment is out of reach.
Adaptive Sports Connection provides specialized adaptive bikes for children. Working with a volunteer team of physical therapists and cycling enthusiasts, we offer bike evaluations for children, purchase adaptive bikes, put together the bikes, deliver the bikes, and teach children how to ride the bikes.
The joy on the faces of the children and parents is priceless. Last year we gave away 70 adaptive bikes to children with physical and cognitive disabilities.
This year we hope to give away 400 adaptive bikes through our Boundless Challenge Bike Giveaway for Kids.
Bikes restore a sense of possibility and ability to those whom are often told by society that their life is about limitations and disability. Help us in giving the gift of health, independence, and the freedom of mobility through adaptive cycling.
Give the gift of health, independence, and the freedom of mobility!
For more information, please contact Sharon Schreiber, Executive Director
at sharon@adaptivesportsconnection.org or (630) 945-1787.