“The bike is custom-made to Jake’s size, as are all the bikes that are given to the people who need them,” Tara Robertson said.
“Jake is able to pedal with both his feet and hands to build muscle strength in his legs, which is so important for him right now,” she said, noting that he is also enjoying the independence the tricycle offers.
The tricycle is made by AmTryke LLC, which is owned and operated by National AMBUCS Inc., a nonprofit service organization. Most of its tricycles are purchased by volunteer members, such as GreeneBucs, and donated to those, like Jake, who need them.
“GreeneBucs is a local chapter of AMBUCS. … Its mission is to provide opportunities for independence for people with disabilities,” said Gussie Jones, who has been a member of GreeneBucs for about 20 years. She has served in many positions with GreeneBucs, including president, auction chairwoman and, currently, as chairwoman of the scholarship committee.
“We raise money and accept donations so we are able to give the trikes away. In addition to children like Jake, we also participate in the national program to provide trikes to veterans of all ages, so they may regain their mobility and participate in social activities,” Jones said.
Jake was born with myelomeningocele spina bifida, his mother said. “Spina bifida is a neural tube defect where the skin, muscle and bone over the opening of the spinal column do not close properly. Jake’s form is the most serious and most common form of spina bifida. We have been fortunate in that, even though it is the most serious, Jake has a very mild case. He doesn’t have hydrocephalus (water on the brain) … His rehab and orthopedic doctors both feel confident that Jake will walk, with the use of arm braces. “
Jake receives services through Help Me Grow, a statewide program that provides health and developmental services to infants and toddlers under the age of 3 and their families.
More information on GreeneBucs is available online at www.greenebucs.org and more information on Help Me Grow is available on the Greene County website, at www.co.greene.oh.us, under the Family & Children First department tab.
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