Suddenly, it was like I didn’t have cerebral palsy… Life seemed fair…
Sure, I don’t push the pedals around and I am fully strapped in, but…
every boy should have a bike.
We got my bike through TAD Disability Services in NSW. This is a charity group, who build and customise bikes for kids like me. They also design and build other equipment that people with disabilities need.
An amazing thing about the people at TAD, is that they are volunteers…
They are working to make people’s lives easier… better… and they volunteer their time and skills to do it. Because they are volunteers, the costs are dramatically reduced. We were only charged the cost of the bike and the cost of the materials to make the support sections of the bike.
We absolutely agree with that!
TAD has been helping people like me for over 37 years. They have developed over 30,000 devices to help people with disabilities live with greater independence.
“For every young child with multiple disabilities, the right equipment at the right time can mean the world of difference to developing their ability to interact, to play and to become their own person in the world.”
“People with disabilities and their families often face overwhelming financial hurdles. At TAD, we believe that every individual has the right to equal opportunity and affordable equipment.”
Quotes taken from the TAD NSW website.
There are ‘trainer wheels’, which are called ‘outriggers’. These are bigger than trainer wheels, because my bike is big. They will give me balance, so I don’t have to worry about falling over. They can be removed.
There are two pieces which wrap around my torso and these are postural supports. There is also a back and head support section. They can be adjusted, as I grow and having them, means I can focus on having fun and pedalling, not sitting.
There are foot supports, which are like big pedals. My foot is strapped in.
My hands are strapped to the handlebars.
My bike really is amazing… It really does make me look like any other little boy, until you look closely and realise how much support I have… or until you notice me being pulled or pushed around. But, I will learn to pedal the bike myself.
My bike makes me chuckle sometimes, too… I like the bumps.
Mum and Dad are going to get me spokey dokies, so I will make lots of noise
as I ride around the block!
So, while these bikes could typically cost around $3,500... My bike was much less. Thanks to TAD NSW and thanks to the Minnamurra Lions Club! My bike cost about $1,000. About $800 was needed for the supportive additions and this was paid for by the Minnamurra Lions Club. They brought the bike around to me and watched me take my first spin on it. I love them for doing this for me! The actual bike cost about $200, which we will pay for, using some of Melissa's fundraising money. Do you love my new helmet? I'm still getting used to the new sensation of riding, so my head is dropping for now. Once I get used to the bike, I will lift my head more and I will wear my helmet. |
More about TAD Disability Services
This fantastic organisation began in 1975. A man named George Winston AM and a small group of engineers decided to work together to make the lives of people living with disabilities a little easier. They used their skills to change lives… increase independence and to build a world of fun for people who were previously made to sit by and miss out.
Now, there are over 250 TAD volunteers in NSW. They donate thousands of hours of time to build and modify more than 1,000 items every year.
TAD only receives limited support from the government and relies on donations. Donations over $2 are tax deductible.
TAD Disability Services (TADNSW)
Locked Bag 2008, Wentworthville NSW 2145
Telephone: 1300 663 243
Facsimile: (02) 9890 1911
www.tadnsw.org.au