NORTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Forget that Ayanna Negron was seated on her new bicycle.
Her incandescent smile had the room believing she felt as though she could fly.
Negron, a 16-year-old with Down syndrome, settled onto her adaptive bike, a three-wheeler modified to meet the specific needs of a person with a disability.
The Pen Argyl Area High School junior sat on the blue-colored bike, leaned forward, propped her folded arms on the oval-shaped handlebar and said, “I can’t wait to ride my bike.”
Ayanna’s smile was eclipsed only by those of her mothers — Brianna and Tyisha Bell of Northampton.
“Riding a bike has been her goal,” Brianna said. “Now, we can be on our bikes, she can be on hers and we can go places.”
The smiles were everywhere on Adaptive Bicycle and Stroller Day at Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 on Friday afternoon. They were flashed by children, parents and caregivers, I.U. staffers and representatives of organizations that made the donations possible.
Ten Lehigh Valley children with disabilities were presented with adaptive bikes or strollers through the program.
Four children received bikes, while six were presented with strollers that addressed the needs of those requiring physical support.
The Carbon Lehigh Special Needs Children’s Foundation works with Pittsburgh-based organization Variety: A Children’s Charity to make Adaptive Bicycle and Stroller Day a reality for special needs children, ages 3 to 21.
Blackburn Medical, of Harrisburg, individually fits each child into their bike or stroller to ensure a smooth ride.
After each child was fitted into their bike or stroller, the kids and their parents took part in a parade inside the I.U — much to the delight of Tom Baker, Variety's chief executive officer.
“We’ll see incredible smiles on people’s faces today,” he said. “Also, the sense of joy and also relief that comes to families to experience life together in their community.”
Each individually customized adaptive bike costs $3,500 to $4,000 and is not covered by insurance. An adaptive stroller costs about $1,000.
Funds are raised through local foundations, events, business partnerships and business groups, but can also be locally based, Baker said.
“We hear from parents that it’s the first time the kids can ride with their brothers and sisters or their neighbors,” he said. “It can also be (adapted to) become a stationary bike for the winter.”
Friday’s event brought the total number of adaptive bikes, strollers and communication devices presented by Variety to youths from Carbon and Lehigh counties to 74, with a price tag of more than $126,000.
“We hear from parents that say they never thought their children would be able to ride bikes with other kids in the neighborhood. That’s what this program can do.”Mark Scott, director of special programs and services, Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21
Variety has expanded its programs from an original 10-county service area in southwestern Pennsylvania to serve 59 counties, filling a critical gap for children with disabilities and their families.
Since November 2012, more than 8,080 adaptive bikes, adaptive strollers, and communication devices have been presented to eligible kids throughout Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia, surpassing $12.2 million worth of adaptive equipment.
The Carbon Lehigh I.U.’s involvement with the program began 10 years ago.
“The I.U. works with Variety to help make life better for families, for them to be able to have something they may not have otherwise,” said Mark Scott, the I.U.’s director of special programs and services.
“We hear from parents that say they never thought their children would be able to ride bikes with other kids in the neighborhood. That’s what this program can do,” he said.
While those around him were celebrating receiving their bikes and strollers, Landon Hicks lay sleeping in the arms of his mother.
The 4-year-old has autism level 3, the most severe on the autism spectrum. It is characterized by significant impairments in verbal and non-verbal communication, extreme difficulty in social interaction and highly inflexible behaviors.
“We are so thankful to receive a stroller,” said the Lansford resident. “When we were at Disney World last year, we couldn’t go very far because he was so uncomfortable with the strollers there.
“I saw this program on Instagram and mentioned it to Landon’s physical therapist. She directed me to how I could apply. This will make his life so much better.”
Sebastian Taveras was rocking a bowtie.
As the 4-year-old waited with his mom to receive his stroller, he strolled the room. He chatted with folks and even offered to assist Blackburn Medical's Randy Prunty, who was instructing folks on how to break down the bikes and strollers for transport in vehicles.
For at least one afternoon, Sebastian’s titinopathy, a type of muscular dystrophy, was left to press its dastardly face against an outside window. No Sadness Allowed. Not today.
“He has trouble walking very far because he has club feet,” said Yosepty Taveras, Sebastian’s mom, as her son examined the stroller. “And now, he’s too big to put in a shopping cart.
“Getting this stroller will be so good for him.”
The kid's smile confirmed that.
