Children ride bikes, some for first time
Dylan Dzikowski rode a bike for the first time Thursday.
Dzikowski, 15, of Saxonburg was presented with his own customized bike at the kickoff of the My Bike program in Butler County.
The program, which gives adaptive bikes to disabled children, is a collaboration between Variety the Children's Charity, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and the county. The program identifies eligible children as well as raises money for the bikes. Each bike costs $1,800.
Charlie LaVallee, CEO of Variety the Children's Charity, said at the Butler County Government Center that these bikes are extremely important for the children and their families.
“This is a life-changing day,” LaVallee said.
He said that the goal of Variety, including this program, is to help disabled children live the fullest lives possible.
“We want the kids to have typical childhood experiences,” LaVallee said.
Each bike is customized for individual children.
Afflicted with cerebral palsy, Dzikowski is unable to ride a conventional bike.
Christen Turley, Dylan's mother, said that with three brothers and one sister, the bike will help her son fit in.
“Just for some normalcy,” Turley said.
Jeff Dzikowski, Dylan's father, said that his son misses out on so much.
“This is just one less thing to miss out on,” he said.
County Commissioner Bill McCarrier said that, as a kid, he was always on his bike.
“I can't imagine not having a bike,” McCarrier said.
He said that the program needs help raising money and letting people know of its existence.
Evan Frazier, senior vice president of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, said that he hopes the program is successful and serves as a catalyst for other programs in the county.
Following the speakers, Dylan went on his first bike ride around the meeting room, guided by his mother. Following that ride, his father took him around the room.
Turley was pleased with her son's first bike ride.
“It was so great,” Turley said. “He can do it. If he puts his mind to it, he can do anything.”
The original goal of the program was to have 200 bikes sponsored in Butler, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland counties.
LaVallee said that the program will hit 300 bikes this summer.
