Parker’s Physical Therapist came today to measure Parker for potential adaptive bikes. I say potential because it’s still in the ‘maybe one day’ column of our hopes and wishes list.
I was surprised to be reminded that the bike Parker borrowed last year wasn’t a Rifton. It was an AmTryke. A bit less expensive than a Rifton. I also found out that Parker is still too small to fit even the smallest size of Rifton bikes.
So AmTryke it is. Potentially.
I asked Parker’s PT if she thought that an adaptive bike was a need for Parker. Her reply matched what I had been thinking.
Is it a life saving ?
No.
Is it necessary as far as strengthening the little chicken legs my Brave Hero’s chicken legs that both he and Rigel inherited from their Happy (Grandpa?)
Yup.
Parker can’t ride the Big Wheel type things. His hips and knees fall open too wide and even with blocks and rigged velcro, keeping his feet on the pedals is impossible.
Parker doesn’t need the truck support piece. He does need the ability to strap his feet to the pedals and for the pedals to be even when he goes to start pedaling.
Another aspect to an adapted bike is the back basket where we can stash Parker’s oxygen bottle.
Think about it. Unlike typical kids, Parker never has the opportunity to be ‘on his own.’ He’s connected to a short oxygen cord that is connected to an oxygen bottle that is connected to me each time we go out side. He can’t carry his own oxygen bottle. With the basket on the back of an adaptive bike, we can stick his oxygen bottle in there and he can go off on his own.
A little bit of independence is always good for the soul, no?
Parker’s play set he has in the back yard can be directly linked to his ability to go up stairs. Because of that play set Parker is so much stronger in so many areas…….it has also provided hours and hours and hours of happiness for a kid that can’t get out in the world much.
That is how I’m looking at adaptive bikes. As a therapy tool that can make him stronger and provide adventures for a kid who spends so much time within a very small confine. Our Physical Therapist agrees.
I asked our PT if she knew of anyone who took regular bikes and adapted them. She said that there used to be a guy in St. George who did it. She didn’t know of any bikes stores that did it.
Since I keep being told that there are places here locally that adapt bikes, I’d love to have that information left in our comments section. There have been several parents asking me to share with them any resources for adaptive bikes that I may find.
It doesn’t matter if it takes us awhile to be able to provide an adaptive bike for Parker. You’ve got to set the goal before you can reach it.
Hi Tammy, there’s an older, retired gentleman that lives behind the Highland Gardens who buys used bikes and refurbishes them. I don’t know if this would be something he could do, but it might be worth asking him about. His name is Tom Hale, phone number 801-763-8362 and his address is 9748 Ferguson.
Rebekah! Thank you! I’ll give him a call and see what he might be able to do!
Amtryke has a wish granting program, here is the link http://www.ambucs.com/amtryke-wish-list/
You may already know about it, but if not there it is.
Also what about doing a Bike-a-thon would be a clever way to gain interest…..people could donate directly to Amtryke and get a tax write off if they wanted to….I personally love a good tax write off….not that we don’t have enough with medical expenses, but every little bit helps!!
Emma received a bike – Freedom Concepts because she needs so much support – as a gift from Variety – The Children’s Charity. Perhaps you can apply for whatever bike best suits Parker? It might be an Amtryke, Rifton, Freedom Concepts or any other adapted bike.
If that doesn’t pan out, around here there are lots of Engineering students at the university. Perhaps you can approach your local universities engineering professors to see if he/she has students that would be up to the challenge of adapting a bike for Parker. I bet it would be a win-win.
A woman I met at toys r us one day told me that her friend got an adaptive bike for her child from Utah State University. She said there was some program where students designed adaptive equipment for kids. I can’t remember if she said it was free for the families or just less expensive. She was telling me because I have a son with disabilities, but I never looked into it. I didn’t know how one would qualify, and I have no idea who to contact or even what department offered this service, but if you have any contacts there it might be worth looking into.
About 15-20 years ago there was a man that provided adaptive bikes to the state developmental center. The devlopmental center would adapt wheelchairs for people in the community. I don’t know if they still do this but they might be a place to get referrals from.
Every child deserves to be happy. A child learns through play. A Child’s job is playing. They shouldn’t have to have a ‘goal’ to make it important!