Let their voices – and freedom – ring
John Paul Lyle, 9, son of Dave and Lori Lyle of McMurray, shows his sister Clare, 6, the iPad he received through Variety – the Children’s Charity’s “My Voice” program during a presentation last month at Canonsburg Hospital. The iPad has a prescribed communication app that will give John Paul a voice at all times.
The staff at Canonsburg Hospital cheers on Donovan Wieczorek, 8, of Canonsburg, as his mother, Kandis Johnson, helps him steer an adaptive bike he received last month from the “My Bike” program operated by Variety – the Children’s Charity.
David Lyle sits with his son John Paul, 9, as he holds an iPad that he received from Variety – the Children’s Charity.
CANONSBURG – Donovan Wieczorek has a little more freedom to play with his friends, thanks to an adaptive bike he received last month through Variety’s “My Bike” program.
The 8-year-old, son of Kandis Johnson and Josh Wieczorek of Canonsburg, couldn’t wait to give it a spin, riding it down the hall at Canonsburg Hospital following a presentation made by Variety’s Charles LaVallee.
“It was good,” Donovan said after taking the brief ride.
Donovan has autism, but is considered high functioning, said his mother, adding that “We’re really excited to have it.”
Variety – the Children’s Charity and Allegheny Health Network, along with Washington Financial and Intermediate Unit 1, partnered together to present two local children with adaptive bikes and eight local children with their own communication devices. The 10 youngsters join more than 1,500 kids who have already received specialized equipment since 2012. The life-changing equipment is customized specifically for each child.
LaVallee said that without a bike, some children are relegated to watching their siblings and friends from afar, making them feel left out or left behind.
“Every child should have the opportunity to ride a bike with their brother or sister, mom and dad or friends,” he said. “We don’t think it’s right not to. The only thing you need to know is the right thing, and this is the right thing.”
Louise Urban, CEO of Canonsburg and Jefferson hospitals, said she has witnessed other Variety presentations, “and I can tell you, your heart will be warmed.”
It’s an opportunity, she said, for the community to see children with special needs celebrating and expressing themselves.
Urban said her sister, now 48, has special needs, and a bicycle “would have impacted her life differently.”
“It means a lot to me,” Urban said.
The “My Bike” program provides Rifton adaptive bicycles to eligible children. Bikes are custom-made for children as young as 4 years old and are designed to fit children as they age. Each bike costs $1,800, with the cost of each part ranging from $50 for pedals to $500 for the bike frame.
Washington County Commissioner Larry Maggi said he and his wife, Mary Jeanne, are so impressed by the work Variety does that he presented a check to LaVallee so the organization can purchase another bike.
The success of “My Bike” allowed Variety to create two newer programs: “My Voice” and “My Stroller.”
“My Stroller” provides Kid Kart Might Lite adaptive strollers to eligible children, giving them “on-the-go” mobility and the ability to easily participate in activities; “My Voice” provides an iPad with a prescribed communication app to eligible kids to give them a voice at all times.
Among the children who received his own communication device was John Paul Lyle, 9, son of Dave and Lori Lyle of McMurray.
“The device will help John Paul communicate better with others,” Lori said in a press release. “People who are not around him daily are unable to understand most of what he says. The device will enable him to show them what he wants, needs or just wants to tell someone. Even his family doesn’t understand him all of the time, and this device will cut down his frustration level with not being able to communicate.”
John Paul previously had an adaptive bike, which, his dad said, was a great help in providing pedal motion. Now, the communication device, which was recommended by John Paul’s speech therapist, will help the youngster interact with more people.
“We can understand him most of the times,” Dave Lyle said, “but for others, he’s harder to understand. We’re very excited and thankful.”
The communication device is an iPad Air 2 with 64 gigabytes, and is dedicated for communication. The internet and Facebook are not accessible.
“They can have a voice (with a communication device) all day at school, but they can’t take it home. If a child is nonverbal, it’s unbelievably frustrating,” LaVallee said. “Kids will hit themselves in the head with their fist because they can’t get mom and dad to understand.
“They need a voice to tell you what they’re thinking, or what they need. Parents can now joke with their kids on the voice device.”
LaVallee’s enthusiasm about presenting the bikes and communication devices was just as contagious as that of the children. In fact, LaVallee likes to call himself the “chief excitement officer” at Variety.
The presentations were made the day after what would have been Fred Rogers’ 89th birthday, so, with his own twist on Rogers’ catchphrase, LaVallee said, “It’s a beautiful day in the Canonsburg neighborhood.”
“If other kids find out about this, then other Washington County kids will get this equipment, too,” he said. “This is a history-making day for some of our kids.”
The presentations also kicked off Variety’s “Kids First” Identification Campaign, which aims to identify every child who could benefit from adaptive equipment.
“If you find the funds, we’ll find the kids,” LaVallee said. “Everybody should be able to own their own health.”