Team develops trike pedal stand for girl with spina bifida

Amelia was 12 years old at the time and had had over 60 surgeries. She got a new 3-wheeled bike to help increase her physical activity. However, when it’s hot, she can’t be outside for long. And during winter and fall, it’s too cold for her. Her father wanted her to have something made to rest the bike in so she could use it indoors. He knew that these devices are available for traditional bicycles, but he couldn’t find this for trikes.

That’s when he got help from Tom Fitzgibbons, Paul Wenner and Mike McDonald, who volunteer with the charity May We Help (an organisation that develops gadgets to increase the autonomy level of disabled people).

Using an indoor cycle training stand, a metal tubing to extend stand and a frame PVC, they came up with a trike pedal stand.

“The problem my daughter had was that we found a teen-sized trike for her to ride, but the heat and cold made it difficult for her to actually use it. Amelia can ride her trike as an exercise bike inside for exercise and strength building. After doing this through the fall and winter, she may be more incentivized to ride it outside as well. This will help build muscle, endurance, and self-confidence. It's so amazing to see the willingness to give the skills your group has to people who can use them. I'm impressed by the vision and the dedication”, Amelia’s father said.

Adapted from: https://bit.ly/2Wzftxm