Riding a bike is many children’s first taste of freedom — a memorable milestone youngsters eager to exercise independence cherish for life. Sadly, some kids don’t get to learn this skill due to physical, mental or sensory challenges.
That’s why Variety – the Children’s Charity of Pittsburgh is instrumental in the lives of children with disabilities. With this nonprofit’s My Bike® program, thousands of kids with special needs across Pennsylvania have received adaptive equipment for free to experience the joys of biking for over 12 years.
Giving Away Vehicles for Childhood Development
Tens of thousands of children in the commonwealth often miss out on the fun of cycling. Variety wanted to make two-wheelers more accessible to these kids — in every sense of the word — to dramatically improve their lives.
After all, biking is a timeless recreational and social activity. Being able to get in the saddle and freely explore their surroundings allows children with disabilities to broaden their horizons, meet new friends and boost their confidence.
This charity also knows that many children with special needs live in the same county as those in the same situation. Adaptive bikes help these kids actively engage with those who can relate to them most outside of school. A sense of community can make them feel less different and build a strong, loving support system.
Aside from providing recreational and social benefits, Variety’s assistive devices allow young riders to achieve unique therapeutic goals.
Biking promotes heart and lung health, coordination, strength and endurance. With specialized equipment, this activity can aid children’s motor planning, enhance reciprocal leg movement and increase their range of motion. Even nonambulatory kids with neurodevelopmental disabilities experience improved gross motor function with adaptive biking equipment.
Adaptive cycles are as diverse as children with disabilities. This nonprofit evaluates My Bike applications carefully to tailor their life-changing pieces of equipment to the distinct needs of their recipients.
Hand cycles are perfect for kids with lower limb mobility difficulties. These devices have appropriate gear ratios and wheel sizes to ensure trunk support and pedal height for young riders.
Tandem bikes can be more helpful for visually or cognitively impaired youth. They can play the role of the stroker, helping with the pedaling while letting someone else control steering.
On the other hand, recumbent trikes may better suit children on the spectrum or with an amputation or balance and back problems, as they allow riders to pedal independently, comfortably and safely.
The organization values holistic development. Every gift Variety gives comes with the hope that its recipient may someday be able to take off the training wheels and live a life free of restrictions.
Greasing the Wheels of Mobility
Variety – the Children’s Charity started as a social club of 11 philanthropic theater owners and showmen in Pittsburgh in 1927. Nearly a century later, this humble group evolved into an international organization committed to helping children in need — with dozens of offices in more than 10 countries across four continents.
Each Variety chapter has chosen a cause to cater to the unique needs of local children. The organization’s original “tent” has dedicated its resources to empowering kids with disabilities to live life to the fullest.
In November 2012, Variety officially unveiled My Bike at PNC Park in front of several big wheels — including then-Governor Tom Corbett and former Pittsburgh Pirates President Francis Coonelly. The organization has never backpedaled since.
To date, the organization has distributed more than 8,000 pieces of adaptive equipment to eligible families from 59 Pennsylvania counties.
Variety’s initial service area has grown nearly sixfold over the years — a testament to this charity’s tireless effort to expand its reach to more households and touch more lives.
Variety — Changing the Lives of Kids With Disabilities With Adaptive Bikes
Variety is living proof that charitableness toward children with special needs transcends time. If the organization’s rich history of generosity and perseverance is any indication, it will pursue its commendable mission until the wheels fall off.
