Bike-Ability: Giving Disabled Children A Ticket To Ride

href="http://www.firstcoastnews.com/inside/bios/fene_deanna.asp">Deanna Fené First Coast News

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Children who can't walk, can't sit up and can't even talk are discovering there's something they can do: ride a bicycle.

Wolfson Children's Hospital held their first ever Bike-Ability Blast Wednesday, and it gave children with special needs a chance to test ride adapted bikes.

Eight-year-old Gabrielle Bleau has cerebral palsy and can't wait to get on a bicycle. Her mother Alicia Bleau says Gabrielle wants to ride bikes with her older sisters.

"The bike is a new thing. We started a month ago and it took her two minutes to learn to ride," Bleau said.

Gabrielle can't walk, she can't talk, she can't hold up her head, but she can ride a bike. She smiles from ear to ear as she rides the adapted bike around the parking lot. Her mother is so proud.

"Amazing," she said.

The adapted bikes are for all ages and all disabilities and include features like high back and head supports, straps to secure the feet and arm pedals for those who can't pedal with their legs.

Seven-year old Julian also has cerebral palsy. His mother, Sonya Daily Barnes, says this event gives parents a chance to see which bikes their child can ride.

"I enjoy seeing him being happy and riding his bike because there's not many things he can do," Barnes said. "It excited him to do that. He was really happy."

Wolfson physical therapist Lisa Federico came up with the idea to have the Bike-Ability Blast. She's worked with many of the kids since they were babies, including Gabrielle.

"Everything is such a struggle to her; sitting, standing, but she gets on a bike and it's easy for her and how great to help her do that," Federico said.

The specialized bikes are expensive, costing as much as $3,000, and most insurance companies won't pay for them. The Bike-Ability Blast gives parents a chance to try out the bikes before purchasing one.

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