Help Me Get Niki to the Paralympic Games

Hi! My name is Emma. I am eight years old. My friend Niki needs your help! Niki was a teacher; she loved her students, and also Mountain Biking. She worked and worked and became a pro-biker. Niki won lots of races including the Arizona Cactus Cup and the NORBA Race in Mammoth Mountain California. Her dream was to ride in the Olympics… But then in July of 2022, just as Niki was starting the school year with her new class of autistic children, Covid hit her school and Niki got sick. She developed a horrible infection in her left knee joint caused by the Covid virus.

After three major knee surgeries, Niki’s knee remained infected. In May 2023, after long stays in the hospital, living with awful pain, and not being able to teach, Niki moved home and started to work with an orthopedic surgeon. Sadly, in July of 2023, Niki had to have her left leg amputated above the knee. It made me sad to see my Niki hurting and learning to walk with a prosthetic leg. One time she even fell and broke some ribs!

Niki doesn’t feel sorry for herself. She has taught me to never give up, even if you must adjust some of your goals. Niki’s new goal is to become a member of the 2028 Paralympics Cycling Team and I know she can do it! When you only have one leg, you need a special prosthetic leg for biking, and they are very expensive! Niki has helped me so much with my math and speech, so now I really want to help her! Please help me raise $10,000 for a new biking leg for my wonderful friend, Niki! I love my Niki! I know if you met her, you would too!