IMPACTING LIVES ONE BIKE AT A TIME
"I am looking forward to riding with my brothers."
Mason W., 12, Etna
Cerebral Palsy
Mason is 12 years old. He has two older brothers that love bike rides. Mason would love the opportunity to hang out with his older brothers on their rides. This would give Mason the chance to hang out with friends his age and be a part of the group. The bike also means Mason gets some much needed exercise and fresh air.
Orange Testimonial Quote: I am looking forward to riding with my brothers.
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: Kristin Whaley, NCH
"Max can't wait to have three wheels to ride outside on!"
Maximus W., Diamond, Diamond
Right Sided Cerebral Palsy
Maximus is a very happy outgoing boy. He loves anything that has wheels! He loves to be outside jumping on his trampoline or driving his power wheels. Most kids his age are riding a bike but unfortunately for Max, we have not mastered that skill yet. I can't wait to see him riding his new bike outside. This has been one of our goals for his therapy treatments. We have not found a bike yet that Maximus can maneuver without falling over. We tried a balance bike, but he cannot hold the bike up one-handed. We also have tried a traditional tricycle, but again, he cannot steer one-handed.
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: ACH Therapist
"I want to be able to ride with my friends!"
David G., 10, Columbus
Myelomeningocele (Spina Bifida)
David would benefit from having a bicycle to be able to play with his friends in the neighborhood. His friends love to ride bikes and he is unable to keep up. He has tried other forms of transportation and has failed. David would benefit from a bike to allow him to play with his peers and continue reaching therapy goals.
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: Kristin Whaley at NCH
"I would be able to ride a bike all by myself!"
Jai’dyn C., 7, Columbus
Joubert Syndrome, Kidney Failure
Jai'dyn is 7 years old and has never had a bike because of his syndrome and him not having good balance. Having the bike would help him meet his therapy goals as well as being able to participate in outside activities with his little brother and not feel left out. With joubert syndrome he isn't able to walk so a lot of times anything he sees his baby brother doing he tends to cry and say that he can't do it and it just hurt our hearts because we know one day his dreams will come true and he will be able to do everything he puts his mind to. He is very smart and loving and very goofy and outgoing and I know if he is blessed with one that his whole world would turn upside down and he would be one happy kid.
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: Kristin Whaley at NCH
"Now I get to go outside and race my mom!"
Logan S, 17, Paris
Cerebral Palsy, Hydrocephalus
Logan is an extremely active teenager despite his physical disability, cerebral palsy. Logan has been in an electric wheelchair from the age of 4, but still continues to try his best at standing and walking very short distances and minimal amounts of time. He plays baseball in his wheelchair on a challenger league that he has been a part of since 2011. He has been participating on a Minerva bowling league for 5 years, and he loves it! He has also participated in ice hockey, soap box derby, water ski, and snow skiing (three trackers of Ohio) for many years. He also plays basketball at home with friends and always enjoys some good competition. Last year due to Covid-19, most group sports were canceled so Logan took on a new sport, golfing and has enjoyed that too! So if that helps you understand how active Logan is, that's all a BIGGER reason he would LOVE to have a bike that works for him!! He had a tricycle when he was 6 years old and enjoyed riding with his bigger brother and family, but outgrew it. We purchased a lower to ground tricycle when he was about 10 years old, but after he had double hip surgery, the positioning of the bike was too difficult for him to use to the best of his ability. Because adaptive bikes, or any special needs equipment for that matter, are so expensive, we have not pushed purchasing him another new bike. He always likes to be competitive and really misses riding his bike with his family. He has a birthday in April, and we would love for him to have a new adaptive bike to ride for the summer of 2022 and years to come!
Orange Testimonial Quote: Now I get to go outside and race my mom!
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: Adaptive Sports Group
"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
"I want to feel like I'm flying!"
Paisley P., 5, Portland
Myelomeningocele (Spina Bifida)
Paisley is five and has never been able to ride a bike. She wants to ride like her older brothers and feel like she is flying. We have tried finding a typical bike for years and none have worked. Every time we go to a store, Paisley wants to sit and try them out, and it's always disappointment. She is just a five year old who wants to do things with normalcy. Sadly finding a bike hasn't been easy. Getting Paisley a bike she can ride all on her own is truly a dream come true. She is excited to fly with her brothers.
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: Kristin Whaley, NCH
“I want to ride with my brothers and sisters!”
Mathilda R., 8, Ottawa
Rett Syndrome
Mathilda would love to have an adaptive bike to improve range of motion and to reach therapy goals. This would give her more opportunity to keep up with 7 siblings.
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: Nationwide Children’s Hospital
"Meradith would improve in so many ways if she had a bike."
Meradith K., 13, Warren
Down Syndrome, Autism (non-verbal)
My daughter Meradith is a bright, fun-loving, energetic 12-year-old. She enjoys playing outside and participating in adaptive sports teams whenever possible. She rides an adaptive bicycling during PT and loves it. It's a fun way for her to get her recommended exercise. Having her own bike would not only help improve her physically by increasing endurance, balance, and cardiovascular function; but also socially. Being able to get on her own bike and ride just like any other child in the neighborhood would mean so much. She sees the kids riding, and I know she wants to get out there with them but unfortunately she can only watch.
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: Akron Children’s Therapist
"Zaren would be like one of the big kids with his cool bike!"
Zaren B., 4, Massillon
Spina Bifida, Chiari Malformation Type II
Zaren is a 4 yr old little boy with Spina Bifida. His diagnosis doesn't define him, and he lets nothing stand in his way. He has been through so much in his 4 years of life, but you will never see him without a smile. He's had 10 surgeries and countless extended stays in the hospital. He's busy from the time his eyes open in the morning until they close at night. He's always trying to keep up with his siblings and friends. He is one of 7 children! He has 2 brothers and 4 sisters! He loves to play basketball and football with his brothers. He loves to "run drills' with his oldest brother! He takes his walker out in the yard and tries to keep up the best he can. His oldest brother is a Junior at Massillon Washington High school and a Massillon Tiger football player. Zaren was named Honorary Captain of the football team this year. He felt like he was one of the "big boys" out there on the field! Those were his teammates. He loves to feel included in all of the activities that other kids do and play. For Zaren to have one of these bikes would be a huge blessing because he would be able to go outside and not just watch his siblings ride their bikes, but be able to ride with them! He would be like one of the big kids with his cool bike!
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: Laura Weaver & Amanda Tickner, ACH
"Ellie will no longer have to sit in a trailer to go on bike rides!"
Ellie K., 3, North Canton
Cerebral Palsy, Congenital Heart Defects, Cleft Palate, Microcephaly, Premature
Ellie is a 3.5 year old who loves to be active and moving! She is an adventurer and outdoor explorer, loves taking her dog on walks, and joining her family on long bicycle rides by sitting in the trailer. We know when she wants to go on a ride when she gets her helmet on. Our family cannot wait to have her join independently on family rides!
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: ACH Therapist
"Riding is so much fun!"
Spencer R-J., 4, Columbus
Caudall Regression Syndrome (Sacral Agenesis)
Spencer is an amazing 4 year old. We just learned that he uses an adapted bike at school (FCBDD) and loves it and is able to use it himself. He does not have a lot of strength in his legs to be able to use a bike, but he calls the bike there his special bike and can go and keep up with his peers. He tends to get left out and over looked a lot by peers because he is such a small guy. This would allow him to ride bikes with his friends and with his family.
Sponsor: Sponsor Needed
Referral Source: Nationwide Children's Hospital and school
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.