Cody’s Story

By 2005, my son, Cody, had attempted to ride a bicycle on his own for five years.

Unfortunately, no matter how much effort was put into it by all involved, the skill wasn’t even close to mastered! By then, he was a big ten year old boy with Down syndrome and weighed over one hundred pounds. It was painful to see him watch other typical developing children ride their bikes around the neighborhood while he was “stuck” on a trailer bike.

I first saw an article about Lose the Training Wheels in a magazine, and searched the net for information. After finding no clinics near Portland, I was determined that they bring their program here. Along with my friend, Patty Verzani, we decided to book the company and worry about how to pay for it later. This was years ago and we are still going strong!

It is important for the spirit of community and for furthering the belief of inclusion, that this camp is held and our children learn how to ride traditional bicycles.

The gift of learning to ride a bicycle is a memory one never forgets. Without this opportunity of the Lose the Training Wheels Bike Clinic, many of these children would not be given this memory or the life long skill of riding a bicycle.