Matthan's First Bike!!!

Hi, Im AlisaMarie, Matthan's mom!

Matthan is an 11 year old kid living with Cerebral Palsy. He is smart and funny and likes to be indepdent. He doesn't want special treatment or pitty and hates asking for help (something I can strongly relate to ha!) but as he gets older, his limitations do hold him back from otherwise common activities that most kids do every day. It's the little things that you dont really think of as an able bodied person.

When Matthan was diagnosed at 2, there were a lot of unknowns. I was terrified for the future for many reasons. But I had never considered the cost surrounding accessible devices.

Lets be honest, you dont imagine your childs first bike is going to cost $5,000.

But then when thats the option... and you go "okay so how do we make this work."

And here we are.

Ive recently realized that because of how expensive accessible devices can be, Ive just never pursued some physical activities for him or our family for fear of him feeling left out and excluded. But as he gets older, and I see his desire to be indepdnent (hes 11! he doesnt want to be held or carried or pulled by his mom) so that has motivated me to make this dream happen.

We tried this trike last summer. It was his first time ever pedaling and riding independently. And it was so awesome!!! But the bike was very high end and cost was $12k. There was just no way that was going to work. So I got a trailer and pulled him along for family bike rides throughout the summer. He was always a great sport even when his head hit the top. This year he is almost as tall as me, I just cant pull him anymore.

So we did some research and we found an awesome electric trike that will fit him now AND grow with with him for the future. It's recumbent style, which is a little bit easier for him to get the strength to pedal, pushing forward instead of down. And with electric assist he can still work on his strength and coordination with pedaling but get an extra boost to move forward.

UPDATE* We have an official total of $6,223. That includes the bike, shipping, extra battery and a special pedal attachment. We've also applied for a mini grant from Stone Soup Group, and if approved that could be $2500 which would be a huge help.

Im going to pause this until we get the final word about the mini grant!

Ill be honest, its hard and sometimes I get angry because it isn't fair. I want him to be able to hop on a bike that doesn't cost a small fortune and cruise with his brother. It doesnt seem fair that accesible devices have to cost so much more. Anyone who knows me, knows I have a very very hard time asking for and accepting help. But I recognize this is not about me, this is for him. We have some other large medical expenses coming up for him so the bike hasnt been priority. But getting Matthan a device that will get him out of the house, give him an easier way to explore that isn't so physically exhausting, and foster more independence is a priority. And Im really excited to see him in this new season!