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Letter from 
Filippis Foundation Helps Kids Receive Bikes
"It's just like riding a bike." Who hasn't used or heard that phrase to describe an activity that is easy to do? For the 30 children with special needs who participated in the 2006 Beaumont Hospital Pediatric Rehabilitation Bike Day, that phrase holds a different meaning.
The Bike Day offers children with special needs who aren't able to ride a standard bike the opportunity to ride a bike for the first time. They are fitted for one of the special bikes, which come in all shapes and sizes – some with three wheels, some pedaled by hand – and are customized to the needs of each child.
The ability to ride a bike has important physical benefits, including building endurance and muscle strength, as well as improving disassociation of the upper and lower extremities. There are also psychosocial benefits – the children are able to participate in an age-appropriate activity with their peers and family members.
The Filippis Foundation donated $5,000 to the Bike Day to help with the cost of the bikes, which average $2,300.
"It did my heart so good to see the kids getting bikes and to hear one four year old boy say that this was the best day of his life," said Nancy Hakala, director of the Filippis Foundation.
In the program's three years, 95 children have been given bikes. To be considered, children must have a doctor's prescription and be referred by their therapist or doctor. Current or past patients of Beaumont are given first priority.
"It's just like riding a bike." Who hasn't used or heard that phrase to describe an activity that is easy to do? For the 30 children with special needs who participated in the 2006 Beaumont Hospital Pediatric Rehabilitation Bike Day, that phrase holds a different meaning.
The Bike Day offers children with special needs who aren't able to ride a standard bike the opportunity to ride a bike for the first time. They are fitted for one of the special bikes, which come in all shapes and sizes – some with three wheels, some pedaled by hand – and are customized to the needs of each child.
The ability to ride a bike has important physical benefits, including building endurance and muscle strength, as well as improving disassociation of the upper and lower extremities. There are also psychosocial benefits – the children are able to participate in an age-appropriate activity with their peers and family members.
The Filippis Foundation donated $5,000 to the Bike Day to help with the cost of the bikes, which average $2,300.
"It did my heart so good to see the kids getting bikes and to hear one four year old boy say that this was the best day of his life," said Nancy Hakala, director of the Filippis Foundation.
In the program's three years, 95 children have been given bikes. To be considered, children must have a doctor's prescription and be referred by their therapist or doctor. Current or past patients of Beaumont are given first priority.
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| The Filippis Foundation donated $5,000 to help cover the cost of bikes given to children with special needs, who can not ride a standard bike. |