DONATION ALLOWS STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS TO EXPERIENCE THE FREEDOM OF RIDING A BICYCLE
Allendale, MI - Four students at Ottawa Area Center (OAC), a service of Ottawa Area ISD (OAISD), received adaptive trykes Thursday, October 3 from the Walker AMBUCS club, a local chapter of the national AMBUCS nonprofit community service organization that owns and operates Amtryke LLC, an adaptive tricycle company. The specially designed and customized trykes provided by Amtryke allow students with special needs to grow their motor skills and participate in activities with friends and family.
Tom Dryer, Adapted Physical Education teacher for OAC, said students have worked on bike riding skills extensively in the Adapted Physical Education program with adapted bikes provided by AMBUCS and Amtryke for over five years.
“Riding a bike is a lifelong leisure skill that increases mobility, safe movement, and community/family experiences,” Dryer stated. “It’s so rewarding as a special education instructor to be able to teach this skill to our students and watch them grow in so many ways.”
As students progressed with the adapted bikes in school, AMBUCS inquired if students would like them for home use as well. Four families applied and were awarded trykes.
“This selfless gift from Amtryke has transformed our daughter’s life by empowering her to overcome challenges and soar,” her mother Cheyanne Hancock said. “This bike is a powerful tool for her development, nurturing motor skills, and igniting a passion for bike riding and exploration. As she thrives in the outdoors, it's calming her spirit and lifting ours. Thank you Amtryke and her remarkable teachers for this gift that is revolutionizing our family’s life.”
Students smiled, communicated and laughed as Amtryke presented the trykes to them.
“I loved watching the students and parents when they received their custom tryke.” Katlyn SweetBrass, SCI-1 Special Education Teacher at OAC said. “The children were excited to ride and parents were thrilled to be able to experience the milestone of walking alongside their child on a bike for the first time.
OAC Director JoAnne Thorsen said AMBUCS generous donations make a significant difference in the lives of students and their families by enhancing students’ ability to engage in outdoor activities and encouraging physical and social development. “We are incredibly grateful to AMBUCS for their continued commitment to inclusivity and partnering with us to support our students.”
Ottawa Area Center
The Ottawa Area Center is a service of Ottawa Area Intermediate School District (OAISD) and serves the unique educational needs of students ages 3 – 26 who have cognitive impairments. Dedicated teachers, aides, nurses, therapists, consultants, and support staff provide students with creative academic, vocational, and social experiences that develop the child holistically, promoting success in family and community life. www.oaisd.org/oac
Ottawa Area Intermediate School District
Ottawa Area ISD works collaboratively with schools and communities to meet the educational needs of students of all ages in the Ottawa area. By pooling resources and providing services regionally, Ottawa Area ISD provides important programs and services to local K‐12 school districts, charter, parochial and private schools and adults in the most cost‐effective ways possible. To learn more about Ottawa Area ISD visit www.oaisd.org
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