FORT MYERS, Fla. (Dec. 21, 2021) – Thanks to support from Robbie’s Riders, Grampy’s Charities and Sanibel Captiva Community Bank presented 15 custom-made, adaptive tricycles, worth between $3,000 and $5,000, to Southwest Florida children with special needs at the bank’s Bridge Branch, located at 9311 College Parkway, Fort Myers.
“These custom-made, adaptive bicycles give remarkable children a level of independence and freedom,” said Jack Johannemann, director of Robbie’s Riders. “The joy of seeing these children ride a bike is immeasurable.”
All the recipients were referred from Golisano Children’s Hospital, GiGi’s Playhouse and NCH Outpatient Rehab and are between the ages of four and 13 years old. The children have various disabilities including Down’s Syndrome, cerebral palsy, acute transverse myelitis and other genetic disorders.
The children benefit from general strengthening, new proprioceptive sensory input, and improved reciprocal coordination of the legs by riding these tricycles. They can now participate in activities with their families and peers and enjoy the childhood experience of riding a bike.
Robbie’s Riders provides special adaptive bicycles and tricycles to children with disabilities, according to their individual capacities and needs. The charity works to donate special needs cycles as quickly as they can raise funds to purchase them.
Grampy’s Charities raises funds and support for children’s organizations by partnering with comfort and research-based charities to make a difference in the lives of kids who need it most. An all-volunteer organization with no paid staff, they have donated more than $3 million to children’s charities over more than 25 years. For more information, visit www.grampyscharities.org.
