Beaumont Delivers Bikes to Kids with Special Needs

Friday was a big day for 13-year-old Giuliana Jonna. The Birmingham teen whizzed around the parking lot of the Beaumont Health Center in Royal Oak on a bike made and fit specially for her.

Giuliana was one of 83 children aged 3-17 who couldn’t wait to test out a brand new bike. This is the ninth year new wheels have been presented as part Bike Day, a program made possible by the Center for Children's Rehabilitation with support from the Children’s Miracle Network. 

The program is designed to improve physical mobility by fitting children with special needs with bikes that build strength and confidence.

Giuliana received a bike because she has cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that can cause balance issues.

Freewheeling family

“The bike gives her a lot of freedom,” Giuliana's mother, Evy Jonna, said. “The bike allows her to be outdoors and doing things with her family.”

Jonna's bike was fitted with a traction arm that allows her ride in tandem with her daughter on more rigorous bike trails. 

"She's able to go anywhere we go now and she's finding success. That makes her feel good," Jonna said.

The custom-fit bikes, which can cost up to $3,600 each, have special seats, pedals and handle bars. The bikes are not covered by insurance and many families can’t afford them; so the bikes are given as gifts to children who are recommended by their physical therapist, occupational therapist or doctor. 

Recyling

Giuliana is on her third bike through the program.

As kids outgrow bikes they are recycled, said Bike Day coordinator, Wendy Nichols, a physical therapy assistant at Beaumont.

"The bikes are really high quality," Nichols said. "We rarely get one back that can't be used again by another child."

Doctor is a "spokes" person, too

The children who received bikes will have a chance to participate in a special parade in downtown Birmingham on Sunday, Aug. 25 during the Birmingham Bike Festival.

The parade is sponsored the Detroit2Nepal Foundation (D2N), which supports the Miracle Fund at Beaumont Hospital and the Late Effects Clinic in the Pediatric Oncology Department.

"All the kids have an opportunity to ride their bikes in the bike parade," said Dr. Richard Keidan, of D2N. "The kids can dress up as superheroes if they want, which is our theme this year because these guys are superheroes. The parade gives them a chance to show off how good they are!"