My Bike Program Helps Children With Disabilities
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - A unique program is making many children very happy. The My Bike Program gives children with disabilities specially-made bicycles. For some, it's the first bike they've ever owned.
Brican Wach, 8, said it was the happiest day of his life. He met Gov. Tom Corbett and he's now the proud owner of a new adaptive bike.
"I've always wanted to ride with my family around the park and I haven't able to, but now I have the chance," Wach said.
Brian's father said they won't have to pull him on a bike trailer during family bike rides.
"To be able to power it himself, go where he wants to go, is going to be pretty good. He's been talking about it all week. It's going to be great," Tony Wach said.
Brian's adaptive bike was donated through Variety, The Children's Charity and the Gift Of My Bike at Bayer. It's a program that originated in Allegheny County.
"Every child should have a bike, every child. No one should be denied because of a disability," Variety CEO Charlie LaVallee said.
Gov. Corbett praised the program for reaching out to children with disabilities in other counties.
Since then, Variety has reached out to nine other counties in our state and they've given out 264 bikes to special kids," Gov. Corbett said.
The adaptive bike is specially designed to fit and meet the needs of children with disabilities. They usually start at $1,500 apiece.
"All of these families that you see, we put so much of our time and our money in doing and taking care of all of the necessities and for us, a bike is not something in our circumstance we could ever do for our son," Angie Wach said.
"It's awesome. We are so grateful," Nancy Roberts said.
Roberts' daughter, Tristen, was all smiles knowing she'll be able to ride in the park like other kids.
It may be raining, but it won't dampen the spirits of 126 children going home today with adaptive bikes.
The ultimate goal is to provide an adaptive bike for every child with disabilities in Pennsylvania.
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