Promote Abilities (not Disabilities) through AMBUCS Amtrykes
When Nathan was in preschool his PT asked me if I wanted an adaptive bike for him. I kinda shrugged in a that-would-be-great-but-how’s-he-going-to-ride it way.
There are two kinds of people in this world. Those who believe things will happen without much work. And those who doubt things will happen even with a lot of work. I tend to fall into the latter category.
Everything, and I mean everything, has been a struggle for Nathan. When he was a baby it was breathing and eating. At five, when she presented me with the idea of a bike, eating continued to be hard. Along with walking, talking, peeing, attending, basically anything you’d expect a 5-year-old to be doing. I doubted Nathan’s ability to ride, even an adaptive bike.
Sometimes I have to ride on the winds of other people who believe things will happen. That’s what I did with Nathan’s PT. I did my very best pretending and said, “Sure! I would love for him to ride a bike.”
So his PT worked with a local not-for-profit called Capital City AMBUCS to get Nathan a specialized bike for individuals with physical disabilities. The bulk of the money needed to cover the cost of the bike was raised by AMBUCS itself through its community fundraising efforts, though we contributed some, and family members gifted him with money toward the bike. The bike is absolutely beautiful and I’m so thankful that he has a therapeutic tricycle he is able to ride.
What are AMBUCS Amtrykes?
These types of bikes are called Amtrykes and they help people with disabilities improve their motor skills, strength, and coordination. Depending on where and how the child needs extra support, the bike is customized to their needs. For Nathan, there are two sets of seat belt straps as well as straps to keep his feet and hands in place. There is a handle so the caregiver can help push and steer him in the direction he wants to go. The Amtryke also has a special pulley system built into the pedals so that he meets less resistance with every push of the pedal. It also helps him feel movement, and therefore success, more quickly.
Amtrykes are also a fun way for kids with disabilities to interact and have fun with their peers. To me, this is one of the most amazing aspects of Nathan’s trike. It gives him a new form of mobility and therefore inclusivity.
During a therapy session at the beginning of summer Nathan was out riding in the cul-du-sac alongside his big brother and the neighbor kids. They were “chasing” him around and he was laughing constantly. When it is cool enough for him to be outside, Nathan’s bike has made therapy sessions a lot of fun.
AMBUCS Promotes Abilities, Not Disabilities
I can’t say enough good things about AMBUCS. I love that it “promotes abilities, not disabilities.” It has made me a believer that amazing things can happen with the right equipment. If you feel compelled to donate to this amazing organization you can do so easily on the AMBUCS site. If you are a person who is interested in getting a bike for a friend or loved one, check the national AMBUCS website to see if there is a local chapter in your area. The waitlist can vary and applications are done through a licensed physical or occupational therapist.
Our family loves to go on bike rides. Right now Nathan travels in a trailer behind my husband’s bike, but who knows, maybe one day he will be pedaling alongside us. This adaptive bike is opening a whole new set of possibilities, not just in Nathan’s reality, but in my mind as well.
