Officials seek to link kids, progam
Notice: Undefined variable: article_ad_placement3 in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/single.php on line 128
WAYNESBURG – Officials from Southwest Regional Medical Center, Variety the Children’s Charity and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield will host an informational session at 2 p.m. March 8 to help identify children with disabilities who can benefit from the “My Bike” Program.
Anyone is welcome to attend the event in the Guesman Room at Southwest Regional.
The “My Bike” Program, which was launched in November 2012, was created to provide custom-made, adaptive bikes to disabled children and youth, aged 21 or younger, so they, too, can enjoy the freedom of riding a bike.
“This program is such a wonderful opportunity for us to help provide local children with this wonderful gift,” said Cindy Cowie, CEO of Southwest Regional Medical Center. “We must continue to find ways to eliminate barriers for children with special needs so they have the same opportunities to grow, develop and excel.”
Each adaptive bike distributed through the “My Bike” Program is customized for each child and can improve the riders’ social and physical well-being. As the founding and premier sponsor of the “My Bike” Program, Highmark has provided an initial grant of $55,000 in support of the program.
“It’s our hope that the ‘My Bike’ Program and the new adaptive bikes will help to not only serve as a positive model for surrounding communities to follow, but also as a catalyst of independence for children living with a disability,” said Deborah Rice-Johnson, division president of Health Services, and president of the Variety board of directors.
“Every child deserves to have a bike and every child deserves to ride a bike with his or her friends, and to feel like they are a part of their neighborhood,” said Variety CEO Charlie LaVallee. “These adaptive bikes give children with disabilities a taste of freedom, a sense of belonging and the opportunity to have childhood experiences and memories that we want for all of our children.”
Since the program began in November 2012, more than 91 adaptive bikes have been distributed and more than 230 adaptive bikes have been sponsored by generous individuals and companies throughout Variety’s 10-county service area, which includes Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Fayette, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland counties.
Anyone wishing to learn more about the event or who knows a child that may benefit can call 724-627-2412.