Bike therapy helps build self esteem
by Beth
Seems like each summer around this time, we hear another story about how a bike therapy program called Lose the Training Wheels is helping people who have autism or other disabilities gain confidence and self esteem.
In 2008 we published a post here about the bike therapy program at Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region, and last year Scott Fogo wrote about the Lose The Training Wheels camp at Easter Seals Crossroads.
This year, its Easter Seals Southwestern Indiana’s turn. An article in the Evansville Courier & Press describes their bike camp like this:
This annual program serves youngsters who otherwise might never ride a bicycle. They learn to ride modified bikes and graduate to standard bikes. They gain an immediate boost in confidence and a potential lifetime of rewarding rides.
The Lose the Training Wheels program in Evansville started Tuesday, July 5 and will roll for five days at the National Guard Armory at 3300 Division Street. The program is a joy to behold.
July 8th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
I was fortunate enough to volunteer my time at the Lose The Training Wheels program at Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region. I can tell you first hand how hard the participants worked during this event! I think I am still winded from running next to the participants while they rode their bikes. The idea was to be there in case they fell and to encourage them to keep going. I loved it! When I reminded them that they were perspiring they would ask through a red-faced smile if I could get them water bottle. I could tell that while they were working hard they were having a great time and were feeling a tremendous sense of accomplishment. Their families were also encouraged. Not only did they learn how to ride a bike, but through the therapists’ direction and encouragement they learned that people believe in them. One therapist in particular was very impressive. A young boy had traveled far to participate in the program, but he wasn’t wearing the proper shoes and was being sent home. The therapist noticed that her shoes would fit the young man. She ran and got the family who was discouragingly leaving and offered up her shoes. He had a grand time and left not only being able to ride the bike, but he left knowing that Easter Seals is a place where people believe in you and are willing to back it up with literally the clothing off their backs, or in this case their feet.