KIDS WITH RECENTLY FUNDED BIKES
Gage H., 14, Heath
Cerebral Palsy
Phoebe C., 18, Powell
Autism, Epilepsy
Chloe S., 3, Streetsboro
TBI
Redgy S., 10, Dublin
Autism Spectrum Disorder
IMPACTING LIVES ONE BIKE AT A TIME
"I love riding a bike and would love my own."
AJ M., 16, Columbus
Down Syndrome
AJ is 16 and was always scared to get on a bike, even one with training wheels until he was given the opportunity to ride an adapted tricycle at school. AJ loved riding this bike! It provided him with much-needed exercise and a feeling of success, independence, and belonging with his peers. AJ would love to be able to ride a bike with his friends and his family at home. An adapted tricycle at home will help AJ to improve his strength and bilateral coordination skills. It will also allow him to work on safety awareness and to enjoy a leisure activity with friends.
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: School
"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
"Maddie is just the sweetest and would absolutely love a new bike."
Madelyn A., 8, Blacklick
CDKL5, Epilepsy
Maddie is an eight-year-old girl who was diagnosed with CDLK4 at four months old. Maddie is a loving kid who loves to spend time with her peers at school and who loves to give hugs and kisses. She also loves to play with her dog Zoey and her younger sister Alaina. Receiving an adaptive bike would allow her to be active, spend more time outside, and be able to spend more time with her sister doing things they love.
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: Nationwide Children’s Hospital
"This bike will help me get stronger and have fun!"
Tenley S., 4, Powell
Spinal muscular atrophy, type 1
Tenley loves Disney princesses, unicorns, mermaids, and Paw Patrol pups. She loves to sing and is very friendly! She loves to play on accessible playgrounds with friends.
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: School Therapist
"I am eager to have a bike. I just know I will love it."
Sam D., 9, Worthington
Autism
Sam is very interested in riding a bicycle. Though he’s blind in one eye, and balance will be an issue, nothing will stop him from learning to ride one.
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source:
"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
"I remember being so excited about my first bike; I took it everywhere. But now, I am too big for it. I would love to get a new one!"
Miles M., 8
Deafblind
Miles is eight and DeafBlind. He’s active and loves riding his Razor tricycle. He currently likes to ride down an inclined path at the park by our house, but he has trouble pedaling it for distance plus he’s getting too big for it, and we would love to try and fit him on a bigger bike.
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source:
"She’ll be super happy with her new bike."
Khloe L., 8, Columbus
Lumbar Spinal Cord Injury
Khloe is an energetic, happy, and funny young lady. She is a hard worker and enjoys making new friends. She never let her diagnosis get her down. She loved riding the adaptive bikes while in the hospital and having one at home will help her to participate in outdoor recreation.
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: Nationwide Children’s Hospital
"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
"Having Aubrey ride a bike that fits her...will open up her world and hopefully we can bike together as a family!"
Aubrey S., 21, Westerville
Developmental delay, Epilepsy
Aubrey is a sweet young lady who loves the zoo and its characters. She is developmentally two years old and needs constant supervision. She is nonverbal but shows what she enjoys with gestures and sounds. This bike will help with her daily exercise.
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: Ambucs
"Ryan is so full of love and would really enjoy a new bike."
Ryan W., 5, Lewis Center
Quadriplegic spastic cerebral palsy
Ryan is a happy, kind, and enthusiastic kid who loves life. He plays hockey and tee ball and loves to get outside on the playground to swing whenever the weather is nice. His favorite activities are playing super heroes and reading. Having a bike for him would mean he could spend more time outside in our neighborhood with the other kids his age, including chasing his younger sister around on her scooter!
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: Participating in Other ASC sports
"I can’t wait to be more active and go on bike rides with friends and family!"
Grace H., 13, Lancaster
Spinal cord injury/ tetraplegia
Grace is an active 13 year old who sustained a spinal cord injury while performing a skill at gymnastics team practice. She loves to be outside hiking, biking, and playing sports. Having a therapy bike will play a pivotal role in aiding her strength and recovery while simultaneously experiencing an outdoor activity with family and friends.
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: Nationwide Children’s Hospital
"The best part of riding a bike is that I get to do it with my family."
Gaige F., 12, Zanesville
Seizures, Developmental delay
Gaige is 17 and loves the outdoors. We go on a lot of walks and having a bike would be another thing he could use outdoors.
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: Nationwide Children’s Hospital
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.