Riding high
Seven-year-old James Crow never rode a bicycle, and chances are, he never would.
But thanks to the fundraising efforts of two Washington County teens, James now has an adaptive bike that will grow right along with him, making “transportation” so much easier.
James, son of George and Melissa Crow of Elco, has hypotonia, the medical term for decreased muscle tone, and a hearing impairment that affects his balance. He also has a sensory processing disorder that makes him fearful of getting on a bicycle.
“He has a little, bitty tricycle that he would ride, and his knees kept hitting the handlebars,” his mother said.
Enter Jenna May and Jordan Moore, members of Martha Assembly No. 11 of the International Order of the Rainbow Girls in Washington who, in their roles as worthy advisers, conducted a yearlong charity project to benefit the My Bike program through Variety – the Children’s Charity.
The My Bike program provides adaptive bicycles to children with disabilities in Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. 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.
In a story published June 26 in the Observer-Reporter, Jenna said, “When we started, we thought we’d raise enough money to buy barely one.”
Well, the girls’ impressive presentations resulted in some pretty hefty donations, enabling them to provide seven bikes for the My Bikes program.
Jenna, daughter of Ralph and Lisa May of Washington, is a junior at McGuffey High School. Jordan, daughter of Dave and Roxanne Moore of Bentleyville, is a senior at Bentworth High School.
Jordan also volunteers at Washington Hospital, where her mom and dad both work. Since the hospital partnered with Variety and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield to host the Washington County My Bike program, it seemed only fitting that the girls adopt the charitable cause as well.
Melissa Crow is glad they did.
“He hasn’t gotten to ride too much, but he likes it,” Melissa said. “We were very thankful and grateful to the Rainbow Girls for him to get the bike.”
Melissa’s interest in the My Bikes program was piqued by a post on Facebook. She discussed it with James’ occupational therapist, who thought it would be beneficial for him.
“He was excited when he found out about it,” Melissa said. “He’ll have it for a quite a while.”
James, who is a second-grader at California Elementary School, also had his first “accident” shortly after he received the bike in August.
“He actually wrecked it. They told him not even five minutes before, not to go too fast or go too quickly or it will flip. I guess he had to prove him right,” Melissa said with a chuckle.
Fortunately, James wasn’t hurt.
“It frightened him,” Melissa said. “It has a seat belt and straps, so technically he did not fall off.”
But it did take a few people to right the bike – and James.
“I’d think he’d want to get off,” Melissa said. “He didn’t want to get out. He continued to ride.”