BIKES FUNDED! - Page 11
"With this bike, we can help her get into a childhood experience that may help not only include her in that everyday childhood fun but as a therapeutic means as well."
Adriana C., 3, Columbus
Brachial Plexus injury at birth
Adriana is a typical 3-year-old who enjoys her playtime. Bike riding has been difficult with balance and range of motion issues as a result of this birth injury. Having a bicycle that can help provide more support for the given problems will greatly impact her on a physical and emotional level.
"Ferrin is an amazing kid who deserves amazing things."
Ferrin L., 15, Newark
Down Syndrome and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Ferrin is a 15-year-old teenager who loves his family and friends. He is always helping others when he can, especially his grandfather whom he calls Fa. His Fa had 2 strokes over a year ago and Ferrin had been the biggest help when it comes to his Fa's daily living activities. He also loves helping his 3 younger cousins with anything and everything they need. Together they love going to the park, playing video games, swimming and so much more. He is a selfless teenager who loves to make people laugh and make sure everyone around him is happy. He's been serious about making sure his health has become one of his top priorities. Obtaining this adaptive device would ensure that his health is maintained and help immensely with some goals that he has set for himself.
"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.
"A bike would expose more of the world to him and assist with his core strength."
Anthony D., 18, Canton
Down Syndrome, Hypotonia
Anthony is a very social and outgoing young man. He loves riding the bus to school each weekday. He greets everyone as he walks the hall at school. His weekends are spent as a host at his parent's local restaurant. He greets most guests with a hug. When he is riding in the car stopped at a light with his window down, he talks to people in the neighboring cars. He enjoys eating all foods but ice cream is his favorite by far.
"Aydrien is an exceptional child to me and to see him doing things he enjoys fills my heart.. he has been through so much in his little life""
Aydrien N., 9, Columbus
Blind, Cerebral Palsy, Autism
My family does a lot of outings. I have other grandchildren that play sports and I love to go and watch them play. Sometimes with Aydrien, it's hard. There's a trail I can take him on but he will not walk that far. And having a bike could help him ride the trails while we walk with him.
- April N., mom
"A bike will allow Zamil to ride his bike with his sister, and enjoy the outdoor space."
Zamil M., 10, Canal Winchester
Quadriplegic Spastic CP, Seizure disorder
Milly is a lovely young man who enjoys basketball, playing with toys, and spending time with his parents and little sister. He was in therapy on an inpatient rehab unit this past summer and has made a lot of progress in mobility. Having a bike will help him get even stronger and he will be able to continue improving his motor skills, have the opportunity to ride his bike with his sister, and enjoy the outdoor space.
"This bike would mean so much to me."
Zade G., 8, South Shore (KY)
Developmental disability, CAS and Autism
Zade is a wonderful 8 year old boy that loves to play. He has difficulty with his motor planning so that makes riding a bike and other things we take for granted, very difficult. It is disheartening to watch him struggle. He would be able to have so much more freedom. It would mean so much to us to watch him enjoy riding a bike on his own.
"Riding a bike is so much fun!"
Skyler D., 12, Greenup (KY)
WAGR syndrome/autism/ trouble walking
Skyler likes swimming and YouTube but since having to learn to walk again he has discovered a love for the therapy bike at the hospital.
"This bike would help him feel good and help his community in his own special way."
Dominic A., 10, Dublin
Hypoxic Brain Injury
Dom is a very curious and active child. He loves to be outside and explore nature. He also likes to play Pokemon go with his family which requires traveling distances in search of Pokemon. He calls it Pokemon hunting! Dom has also begun asking me to go pick up trash and litter around our neighborhood because it makes him feel good that he’s helping the environment. A bike would allow us to more easily get to a park by our house that has a small creek he wants to help clean up.
Allison D., 17, Groveport
Down Syndrome and Moya Moya Syndrome
Allison loves being on the bikes at school and we would love for her to have the same access to healthy, fun activities at home!
Molly S., 8, Marysville
Tubular sclerosis/epilepsy
This would mean she can go for bike rides with the family, her sisters and play outside more.
"Having a bike would be a great way for Symon to gain strength, endurance, and coordination while having fun outside with his family."
Symon F., 9, Akron
Cerebral Palsy
Symon is 9 years old and has always loved being outdoors. He has always loved toys that you ride on, playing in the water, hiking (in a hiking carrier), working on cars with his dad, riding bikes with his mom, and generally exploring outdoors. As he has gotten older, the number of outdoor items he can play with is decreasing (e.g., Power Wheels are too small, being carried for hikes is becoming more difficult, the seat attached to a parent's bike is too small, etc.) As he can play with fewer outdoor toys, his desire to be outside has decreased, resulting in a decline in his physical mobility. He has been wanting a bike, and I believe a bike would help him enjoy the outdoors again. He also loves going fast; anyone who knows him has seen him go as fast as he can while popping wheelies in his wheelchair.
Joanie G., 6, Johnstown
Chromosome 13q deletion syndrome, neurodevelopmental disorder
Joanie loves the go-kart and riding in the family side-by-side. She loves music and dance. She is always smiling and loves affection.
Harrison S., 12, Delaware
Mild Cerebral Palsy and Global Delay
Harrison is a fun, loving 12-year-old. He lives to make people laugh and always has something unexpected and silly to say. He works very hard at school and loves being around people. He is active in the Special Olympics and enjoys being part of the action or cheering on his team. He is also active in his church youth group and shares the love of God with everyone he meets. Harrison loves playing Roblox and Mario as well as helping his mom cook and bake.
"Luke wants to ride a bike like the rest of us!"
Luke T., 11, Creston
Down Syndrome
Luke has such a vibrant and engaging personality. He loves hanging with friends and spending time with family, having his own bike would give him the opportunity for an inclusive experience as today he has to ride in a pull-behind trailer. He's becoming too heavy to pull and also too old to enjoy being in the trailer, he wants to ride a bike like the rest of us!
"I am excited to go on a journey with my bike!"
Jackson K., 10, Ashville
Cerebral Palsy, Global Developmental Delay, Epilepsy
Jackson loves to get out and see people, he is very social. He loves anything that gets him on the move. We used to be able to bike together, my family gifted him a Wee Hoo and he LOVED it but has outgrown it. I would love a way to explore his town together while still getting him on the move. He has never been successful with handle pedals - he doesn't seem to understand what to do, but more he doesn't see drop-offs or have safety concepts.
"This bike would allow us to go on family bike rides and spend more time outside together as a family."
Jorge D., 8, Columbus
Cerebral Palsy
We love to spend time as a family. This bike would allow us to go on family bike rides and spend more time outside together as a family. Jorge also loves sports and enjoys being independent.
"The wheels on my bike goes round and round..."
Lukas L., 4, Columbus
Autism
Lukas is an energetic 4-year-old who loves Bluey, Numberblocks, and Cocomelon. He enjoys reading, climbing, and rough-housing. He's recently started enjoying spending time with his little brother and sister. He doesn't like being limited, so an adaptive bike would help give him the opportunity to explore his neighborhood with his family while building his strength and confidence.
"Benny loves being outdoors and smiling at everyone he comes across."
Bennett F., 8, Lancaster
Angelman Syndrome
Benny just turned 8 years old and was diagnosed at age 2 with Angelman Syndrome. He has low muscle tone, so he struggles with muscle and coordination. A bicycle/tricycle is a tool Nationwide Children's Hospital uses to help with his low muscle tone, balance, and coordination. We would like to reinforce this at home. Benny loves being outdoors and smiling at everyone he comes across.
"A bike would help us increase her strength, get closer to walking on her own, and also provide her with fun with her family and twin…"
Emily S., 7, Aurora
Liver Transplant, global delay
Emily has spent the first three years of her life in the hospital with sick lungs, and then liver cancer treatment. She is delayed and weak. She loves riding bikes, playing with toys, and swinging. She likes to ride her bike but is currently too big for it and needs an adaptive bike to support her needs. She needs help holding the handles due to sensory issues and also needs help pedaling. A bike would help us increase her strength, get closer to walking on her own, and also provide her with fun with her family and twin who also needs an adaptive bike due to her unique needs.
"I can't wait to spend time and ride a bike with my siblings."
Aesha M., 17, Columbus
Phelan McDermid syndrome
Aesha loves to spend time with her siblings and she would like to be able to ride her bike with her younger sibling. She has enjoyed riding a bike in therapy.
"I love bike rides!"
Emma S., 7, Aurora
Cerebral Palsy
She loves to ride bikes. She had one that she loved but is no longer able to use it because she is too big now. She loves swimming, biking, swinging and playing with her friends at school.
"We love to go on family bike rides."
Paxton V., 11, Columbus
Autism, ADHD, SPD, apraxia
Paxton is always in motion. He loves being outside, going on family walks and hikes, kayaking, and swimming while on vacation. He is the only person in our family with no bike. If he did, we would go on family bike rides. We live in a neighborhood that is walkable and rideable. We also live less than half a mile from a park with riding paths. He learns best when he's moving, and this would continue to help him grow and thrive in increasing motor planning and increasing his motor movement.
"For us, having funding for an adaptive bike would mean more bonding time with our son, along with providing Noah with a sense of confidence, security, and joy throughout his day-to-day routine."
Noah K., 5, Avon
Autism Spectrum Disorder/Sensory Processing Disorder
Noah is a nonverbal 5-year-old boy with Autism Spectrum Disorder. He uses AAC to communicate and is a kindergartner at Avon Early Learning Center. Some of Noah's favorite hobbies include coloring, swinging, and playing video games. As his parents, we would love to see Noah participate in more exercise. For us, having funding for an adaptive bike would mean more bonding time with our son, along with providing Noah with a sense of confidence, security, and joy throughout his day-to-day routine.
"I am hoping getting an adaptive bike will meet her goal of bike riding with her big brother!"
Molly M., 7, Hilliard
Down syndrome
Molly is an 8-year-old born with Down syndrome. She LOVES being outdoors. She loves to do anything her big brother is doing ---If he's using a scooter, she's trying to use a scooter. If he's playing basketball, she's shooting hoops. The only thing she cannot do is ride a bike when he's riding a bike. We've tried a couple of alternatives and they didn't work out. So I am hoping getting an adaptive bike will meet her goal of bike riding with her big brother!
"I'm so excited to ride my bike!"
Tajuan S., 7, Westerville
Cerebral Palsy
Tajuan is a very active child. He loves outdoor activities. His siblings and cousins have bikes and I know receiving his adaptive bike would really make him so happy as he would be included into the bike activities.
"We would love this activity as a family and new independence for our Evan."
Evan G., 16, New Albany
Down Syndrome, Autism
Noah is a nonverbal 5-year-old boy with Autism Spectrum Disorder. He uses AAC to communicate and is a kindergartner at Avon Early Learning Center. Some of Noah's favorite hobbies include coloring, swinging, and playing video games. As his parents, we would love to see Noah participate in more exercise. For us, having funding for an adaptive bike would mean more bonding time with our son, along with providing Noah with a sense of confidence, security, and joy throughout his day-to-day routine.
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 Bucey, CEO
at [email protected] or (630) 945-1787.