‘My Bike’ program provides freedom on wheels
Roberto M. Esquivel|缅北禁地
Eli Holp, 5, of Markleysburg, races against his sister Audrey on his specialized adaptive bike which he received through the My Bike program. The bike was constructed with the handlebars closer to the seat allowing him to reach them easier.
Roberto M. Esquivel|缅北禁地
Eli Holp, 5, of Markleysburg pauses from his bike riding long enough to be photographed on his specialized adaptive bike which he received through the My Bike program. The bike was constructed with the handlebars closer to the seat allowing him to reach them easier.
Five-year-old Eli Holp adjusts his bicycle helmet on a warm spring evening in Markleysburg.
As he hops on his candy apple-red bike and starts to peddle down the road, his 3-year-old sister, Audrey Holp, struggles to keep up with her big brother on her own bicycle.
Had it not been for a special bike made just for Eli, this memory would not have been made.
鈥淓li was born with arthrogryposis,鈥� said his mother, Jessilyn Holp. 鈥�(It) affects the muscles in his arms.鈥�
According to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 鈥淎rthrogryposis is a number of rare, non-progressive muscle disorders causing stiff joints and abnormal development of muscles.鈥�
鈥淓li struggled riding a typical bike, so this would give him the opportunity to ride a bike,鈥� said his mother.
Because Eli鈥檚 arms are too short to reach the handlebars on a regular bicycle, he was unable to ride without difficulty. However, with the help of his parents and his physical therapist, a solution was found.
Eli鈥檚 custom bike came through the 鈥淢y Bike鈥� program that is part of Variety the Children鈥檚 Charity.
According to the organization鈥檚 website, www.varietypittsburgh.org/MyBike.asp, the 鈥淢y Bike鈥� program works at providing 鈥渁daptive bikes to children with disabilities so they may have the freedom of a bike and the joy of riding alongside friends.鈥�
鈥淲e want to give a child with disabilities the same childhood experiences that any typical child would have,鈥� said Charles P. LaVallee, CEO, Variety the Children鈥檚 Charity. 鈥淭he bike can give kids a sense of independence, the sense of freedom and the sense of accomplishment.鈥�
According to the Holps, the process to receive a bike for Eli was fairly simple.
鈥淚t was easy,鈥� said Eli鈥檚 father, Mike Holp, about the application process. 鈥淭here was an application we completed and sent it back.鈥�
鈥淎 few weeks later they came and fit him for the bike,鈥� said Jessilyn Holp.
Each bike is custom fit to meet the child鈥檚 specific needs. For Eli, the handlebars were constructed closer to the seat so he can reach them easier. Other features of the bike can include a seat belt harness and a guide rail that parents can use to guide their child from behind while allowing the child a sense of freedom.
Last month, Variety, along with Uniontown Hospital and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, held a special event where several Fayette County children were presented with their adapted bikes.
鈥淔or children with disabilities, the sense of freedom that comes from riding a bike can sometimes feel out of reach,鈥� said James Proud, the hospital鈥檚 vice president, human resources/marketing. 鈥淰ariety the Children鈥檚 Charity created its 鈥楳y Bike鈥� program to help make the dream of riding a bike a reality for children living with disabilities. It gives these children independence and typical childhood experiences.鈥�
Variety is currently looking for more children to apply and receive one of the adaptive bikes.
To be eligible, families must complete an application found at the organization鈥檚 website, receive a referral from the child鈥檚 physical or occupational therapist and meet certain income guidelines.
鈥淭he guideline is 400 percent of the federal poverty level (which is) about $92,000 for a family of four,鈥� explained LaVallee.
鈥淚 would say it (the 鈥楳y Bike鈥� application) is an easy process and their (the parents applying) children will get a lot out of it,鈥� said Mike Holp.
Now, Eli Holp can participate in a childhood activity enjoyed by many his age, and the memories are something the whole family can hold close.
鈥淲hen I first took him outside (on his bike) and he said, 鈥楳om, it鈥檚 so easy,鈥� It brought tears to my eyes,鈥� said Jessilyn Holp.
LaVallee hopes that other 鈥淢y Bike鈥� recipients have the same experience as Eli Holp.
鈥淓very child should have the opportunity to ride with their friends, their siblings and their family,鈥� he said.