Jacob Sabo of Butler tries out his new adaptive bicycle, which was provided by Variety the Children's Charity, while his mother, Linda Sabo, looks on.

Jacob Sabo, 11, and his mother Lynda Sabo, of Butler, can't wait for the weather to get a little warmer.

That's because Jacob received an adaptive bike Dec. 20 from Variety the Children's Charity.

The three-wheeled bike is designed to allow Jacob, who suffers from Down Syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivy disorder, to be able to ride with his friends.

“The seat has a little bit of a cushion straight across the back,” said Lynda Sabo. “It's got a shoulder strap and a seatbelt, just like in a car almost. It's got Velcro straps around the pedals to hold his feet in place.”

“It also has a handbrake on the handlebar,” she said. “And there's a handle in the back of the seat for me to hold onto, to help push him.

“Right now it's on a stationary stand so he can ride it in the house. He gets on it and he tries it for a few minutes, but it's not the same as riding it outside,” said Lynda Sabo.

Jacob's bicycle is one of 81 adaptive bikes that were given out in a 10-county region, including Allegheny, Armstrong and Butler counties, by the charity as part of its “Gift of My Bike” event.

“Every child deserves to have a bike and every child deserves to ride a bike with his or her friends and family and feel like they belong,” said Variety CEO Charles LaVallee.

“Since Gov. Corbett and Allegheny County (Executive) Rich Fitzgerald kicked off the 'My Bike' program on Nov. 5, 2012, we've come a long way. With the cost of sponsoring one adaptive bike being $1,800, Variety commends all of our partners for raising nearly $400,000 for kids with disabilities in such a short time,” said LaVallee.

Lynda Sabo said Jacob's condition has left him with underdeveloped motor skills and upper body strength.

“Riding a bike will give him increased confidence and independence. It will help him being able to do something that typical kids do,” she said of her son, who attends the Life Skills program at McQuistion Elementary School.

“The ultimate goal is for him to have the joy of his typical peers,” she said.

Sabo said once she'd filled out an application for a bicycle with the charity, she and Jacob attended a clinic in mid-November where physical therapists measured children and fitted bikes to their needs.

Jacob's bike was delivered to her home. “They really made it easy on the parents,” she said.

LaVallee emphasized that there are still bicycles left, and more funds for the purchase of more bikes come in daily.

Variety is still trying to find children with disabilities who may qualify for an adaptive bicycle.

Parents should visit the Variety website, www.varietypittsburgh.org/MyBikeProgram.asp, or call the charity at 412-747-2680.

“We're going to keep raising funds and finding kids,” LaVallee said.

Variety has been helping children with physical and mental disabilities realize the freedom of accessibility for more than 80 years.

Variety was founded in Pittsburgh and has grown to more than 50 chapters worldwide.

And, LaVallee said, every dollar raised in the area will stay in the area.

“If people want to donate, they can designate to have the funds stay in Butler County,” LaVallee said.