As I lamented the difficulties in helping Marisa learn to ride a bike, a friend recommended an amazing program called Lose the Training Wheels. What they do is close to miraculous! They help kids with special needs discover the joy of riding bikes and it's beautiful to watch.
They begin with a special bike with a cylinder for a back wheel. It starts with a regular cylinder, but then they switch it out with increasingly tapered ends. The kids just think that they are taking water breaks and never seem to notice that their bikes are more unsteady afterwards. They just adjust to keeping upright and rolling. Totally cool!
When the instructors think that the kids might be ready to ride, one of them rides with them on a special tandem bike. It was so cool to watch them hop right up and ride.
After a successful tandem ride, it's time to go outside on a regular two-wheeler with a bar at the back to help the volunteers spot the kids. When I saw Marisa riding, I did shed a few tears. I'm even doing it now as I write about it. I'm so proud that she went out there and just did it. And to be fair, I cried for the other kids, too.
And I will always be grateful for the two angels who spent the week running after Marisa as she got faster and faster, never complaining and always cheering her on. Thank you David and Katie!!
For her reward, Marisa got a brand new bike and she's still riding strong....
