ALTOONA – Many parents take for granted, the time spent teaching their kids how to ride a bike. For some parents, though, they never have that chance. But that’s changing for a few in Central Pennsylvania.
There are special bikes made, that are completely customized, and the goal is to make sure each kid feels they belong.
“They’re helping him become mobile now,” said Heather Oxford.
Oxford gets emotional when talking about her son, Dakota. He’s five years old. At two months, he was diagnosed with meningitis. Since then, Dakota has problems walking, talking and doing everyday kid things.
But now, he’s going to be getting his first bike, thanks to the Pittsburgh-based charity, Variety and their “My Bike” Program.
“Within a couple of days I had my application in the mail with return envelope. Within less than a week I got a phone call your son qualifies, when you want to be fitted for your bike?”
So he was fitted for his own bike, one that would help him pedal.
“I was like, ‘oh my gosh he pedaled,’ because I’d never seen him pedal before and it was absolutely wonderful as a parent to see,” said Oxford.
“So if you start down here maybe like on the pedals, a lot of our kids can’t keep their feet on the pedal, so they’re velcroed in,” said Charlie LaVallee, CEO of Variety.
LaVallee says the bikes cost $1,800, but they’re free to families that qualify.
“Some of the kids have a regular seat belt, but some might need some trunk support so it’s all what each child may need.”
The bike has a handle, for parents to help steer and compartments for any equipment.
It’s specialized for each kid, right down to the color.
“Why shouldn’t these kids get to pick out their color? You know it’s a big thing when you get your first bike,” said LaVallee.
Oxford said the biggest thing for her, is that Dakota doesn’t have to sit out anymore. He can participate, just live everyone else.
“His little brother looked at him and said, ‘Cody Bear, we can ride together,’ and it was just an awesome thing to hear that your kids can do something together, that there’s no restraint, there’s no, nothing holding them back from doing something together.”
Dakota and six others will be getting their bikes on Tuesday at PNG Field before the Curve game. Dakota even will be throwing out the first pitch.
There are about 10,000 kids in our part of the state that need these bikes, but only 1,000 have been given out.
To learn more about variety and the “My Bike” Program, click here.
There are special bikes made, that are completely customized, and the goal is to make sure each kid feels they belong.
“They’re helping him become mobile now,” said Heather Oxford.
Oxford gets emotional when talking about her son, Dakota. He’s five years old. At two months, he was diagnosed with meningitis. Since then, Dakota has problems walking, talking and doing everyday kid things.
But now, he’s going to be getting his first bike, thanks to the Pittsburgh-based charity, Variety and their “My Bike” Program.
“Within a couple of days I had my application in the mail with return envelope. Within less than a week I got a phone call your son qualifies, when you want to be fitted for your bike?”
So he was fitted for his own bike, one that would help him pedal.
“I was like, ‘oh my gosh he pedaled,’ because I’d never seen him pedal before and it was absolutely wonderful as a parent to see,” said Oxford.
“So if you start down here maybe like on the pedals, a lot of our kids can’t keep their feet on the pedal, so they’re velcroed in,” said Charlie LaVallee, CEO of Variety.
LaVallee says the bikes cost $1,800, but they’re free to families that qualify.
“Some of the kids have a regular seat belt, but some might need some trunk support so it’s all what each child may need.”
The bike has a handle, for parents to help steer and compartments for any equipment.
It’s specialized for each kid, right down to the color.
“Why shouldn’t these kids get to pick out their color? You know it’s a big thing when you get your first bike,” said LaVallee.
Oxford said the biggest thing for her, is that Dakota doesn’t have to sit out anymore. He can participate, just live everyone else.
“His little brother looked at him and said, ‘Cody Bear, we can ride together,’ and it was just an awesome thing to hear that your kids can do something together, that there’s no restraint, there’s no, nothing holding them back from doing something together.”
Dakota and six others will be getting their bikes on Tuesday at PNG Field before the Curve game. Dakota even will be throwing out the first pitch.
There are about 10,000 kids in our part of the state that need these bikes, but only 1,000 have been given out.
To learn more about variety and the “My Bike” Program, click here.
