Bryce Hendal, first-grade student at South Central Elementary of the Canon-McMillan School District is wheeled onto Heinz Field,
Pittsburgh, on an adaptive bike provided by Variety — a children’s charity and provider of equipment and programs for children with
disabilities. Bryce’s father, Troy, is pushing him in front of cheering fans, while his mother, Cetina, and sister, Kaylie, are by his side.
Variety of Equipment Helps C-M Students
V
ariety, a non-profit that provides adaptive bikes, strollers,
and communication devices to eligible individuals who
have a need, has helped nearly 30 Canon-McMillan
School district students receive adaptive equipment.
More help appears to be forthcoming.
“We're hoping to add to this list this year and reach even
more students and families,” said Becky Lieb, director of special
education at Canon-McMillan. “We already have two more who
are in the process of being fitted for their adaptive bikes, which
will be presented in the fall sometime.”
The district decided to co-brand the application and help
identify students who could potentially qualify and benefit
from any of these pieces of equipment. Teachers and service
providers have been essential in the process of helping to
Teachers and service providers have been
essential in the process of helping to identify
students who may qualify and need the
equipment and by contacting the families to
inform them about this great opportunity for
their child.
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CANON-MAC
identify students who may qualify and need the equipment
and by contacting the families to inform them about this great
opportunity for their child.
Of the 29 students, 23 received adaptive bikes, four received
strollers, and four received communication devices. Students
can qualify and receive up to all
three pieces of equipment at no
cost to the family.
A presentation was made July
19 in Pittsburgh at Heinz Field: Variety’s “Super Summer Bike
Giveaway.”
Five Canon-McMillan students received adaptive bikes and a
communication device during the presentation.
The students rode onto the field through the Steelers' locker
room at field level and were shown on the stadium’s Jumbotron.
A photographer was present taking pictures and Terrible
Towels were presented to everyone, in an effort to cheer on the
students.
Variety is a children’s charity that provides children with
disabilities unique programs, experiences and equipment.
It offers three programs: “My Bike,” “My Stroller,” and “My Voice.”
The My Bike program offers a Rifton adaptive bicycle that is
individually customized. The My Stroller program provides a
Kid Kart Mighty Life captive stroller and the My Voice provides a
communication device to provide children a voice at all times.