Adaptive Bike for Special Needs Young Adult

Hi, my name is Lisa Kobs, and I am fundraising for a good friend, Brenda Stenglein, and her family.

The story is best told in her words...

I would like to tell you a story about my family. My husband Patrick was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) just before Christmas of 2022. As you would expect, this diagnosis has completely turned our world upside down. The doctors at Smilow Cancer Center, Yale New Haven Hospital explained to us the urgency of starting treatments. Since January, Pat has spent a total of 48 days inpatient, with multiple weekly trips from Ashford, CT to New Haven, CT. The nursing team and doctors told him early on how important it was to stay positive, set goals, and stay focused on beating this disease. The goal Pat set was to be well enough to ride 10 miles via bike on September 9, 2023, for the Closer to Free fundraiser to support the Yale Smilow Cancer Center. This is a huge fundraiser with hundreds of cancer survivors riding anywhere between 10 to 100 miles surrounded by other survivors and their families. Unfortunately, Pat’s progress has not improved to the point where he will definitely be able to ride. He is devastated. Although we initially chose not to tell our son the severity of his dad’s illness, my son, Sean, overheard his dad’s heartbreak of the possibility of not being strong enough to ride. Sean simply stated “I ride for dad!”. But Sean didn’t speak these words out loud. You see, Sean is a 25 year old man with Cerebral Palsy. He communicates with non-verbal gestures and an assistive eye gaze device called a MyTobii. He vocalized the simple statement by using his MyTobii. Sean is an amazing example of a survivor and has beaten the odds. Although he is dependent on support for all physical and communication needs, he insists on living life to its fullest. Sean is determined to help his dad reach the goal of riding a bike 10 miles in the Closer to Free fundraiser. To do so, however, Sean needs a specialized bike to accommodate his physical special needs. This bike costs $12,000 and our family does not have this money. Pat owns and runs a greenhouse business called Sean Patrick's Plants. Since Patrick's diagnosis, the business had to close. I am a retired teacher- now caring for both my husband and son full time.

I am reaching out in hopes that we can make this happen and purchase this adaptive bike so Sean can support his dad by riding in the Closer to Free fundraiser.

I am so appreciative for your support.

Thank you!

Brenda Stenglein