I hope you are involved with a local group that's made a real difference in your child's life. For us, that group has been The Friendship Circle. They have a Sunday morning program Max attends during the school year, and two teen boys visit him once a week as part of a Friends at Home program.
This spring, we heard about something unbelievably amazing that was happening. A girl named Olivia decided that for her bat mitzvah (a coming-of-age celebration that happens at 12), she wanted her family to give bicycles to the kids in our local program. All of them. Adapted bikes.
Staffers at the Circle worked hard to make it happen. I conferred with Max's therapists, looked up bikes and ultimately decided on a Triaid TMX. It looked sturdy and cool and it came in purple. We put in our order and waited. Max had no idea of the purple glorious-ness that awaited him.
The scene at the event was pretty amazing—two glorious rows of bikes. I don't think "ecstatic" or "out of his head with excitement" quite sums up Max's reaction when he first saw his bike.
Max got right on and started pedaling away. Note the license plate.
Sabrina wanted to help out but, really, Max didn't need it. We only later realized that the bike couldn't stop by back-pedaling; you needed to use a hand brake. That's something Max is going to have to learn. Meanwhile, we're avoiding hills!
A rather awesome cake to celebrate a rather awesome birthday girl.
We had to break away from the celebration because Max wanted to cruise up and down a street.
"I've got wheels, Mom, outta my way!"
Adapted bikes are costly, and we are incredibly fortunate to have been a part of Olivia's celebration, and this program.
The Triaid people have offered a 20 percent discount to any family who orders a bike through them; just mention that you read about it here. You can call 800-306-6777 or email sales@triaid.com.
Thanks, Olivia, from our family to yours. We think of you every single time Max cruises around our 'hood.
