Sarah Kate has done an admirable job over the years of integrating herself into Typical Kid Culture.
She was the one who requested to join swim team and she was the one who asked to play softball. For all of our declarations that she needs to get used to being part of the typical world, Mr. Andi and I were still wary of allowing her into some areas where we knew she’d be at an obvious disadvantage.
When I was growing up, I had only one sibling – a sister ten years younger – and we lived in the boonies so there was no one for me to play with. Although Mr. Andi’s dream is to have a big piece of land with room to roam, I have always been adamant that we MUST raise our children in a neighborhood with other kids, and he took to heart the old saying that “if Momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy” and obliged me.
Sarah Kate has friends in the neighborhood and I love that they can roam freely, meandering among each other’s yards and going in and out of each other’s houses. But one image has continually pricked at this wounded mom’s heart – the image of bicycles parked out front. Although Sarah Kate had the technical ability to ride a bike, it wasn’t a practical option for her so she rarely did, and even then only when accompanied by a parent.
Not exactly conducive to romping around the neighborhood with your peers.
As I mentioned last Thursday, she got her new three-wheel bike on Wednesday night. Knowing she’d want to ride again as soon as she got home from school, I headed to Wal-Mart on Thursday morning to look for something she could use to secure her feet to the pedals. I found some Velcro straps
Sure enough, she asked to ride as soon as she got off the bus and I walked outside with her to get her set up. As she left the driveway and turned onto our street, Neighbor Girl C turned onto our street, riding her bike. She eased up next to Sarah Kate and a moment later Sarah Kate asked if she could ride over to the next street. I gave her my blessing, nervous though I was, advising her to watch for cars and be careful.
Our next door neighbor had just walked outside to check his mailbox and inquired about Sarah Kate’s new wheels. As the two of us watched the girls riding away from us, he said, “You know what that is? That’s freedom.”
The enormity of the moment crashed over me like a tidal wave.
It is freedom. But it’s so much more. That three wheel bike places her on even footing with her peers. When she is riding the bike, she looks no different than any other kid on a bike.
I chatted with my neighbor for a few more minutes, then went around to the back of the house and settled into a chair on the back porch to write this post. We live on a corner lot with a picket fence, so at regular intervals I could hear and see them ride by. After a short time, the two girls became three riders – Neighbor Boy S had joined them – and though I couldn’t quite make out what they were saying, I could tell from the timbre of their voices that they were enjoying themselves.
🙂
Oh man. I absolutely LOVE this post. There *may* be tears in my eyes (but what’s new, right?).
I echo Jenny’s comment. Sarah Kate is a true inspiration!
AI agree with both Jenny and K’s Mama – a great post, a great photo, and freedom inspires!
Awesome!!! And love the photo with her little bro in the basket.
This is a fabulous photo to go with this post– the joy on their faces! Even with Nathan’s head turned, you can see that smile of his creeping around his cheeks! Great post, Andi!
This is beautiful and I’m so glad Sarah Kate is getting that freedom that I never got as a kid. I could never ride a bike without training wheels and when I rode a bike period I had to be accompanied by a parent. I wanted an adaptive bike so badly but we couldn’t afford it. Someday I will get one for myself.
That’s exactly how Sarah Kate has been…and those training wheels don’t work so great when kids get bigger, because they aren’t nearly as stable. This new bike is awesome and they aren’t uncommon around our town – I even saw a kid riding one to school a few days ago with his backpack in the basket.
If it helps, the brand on her bike is “Miami Sun” – I don’t know anything about it or what it costs but it’s not an adaptive bike. My in-laws were here earlier in the week and they take biking trips to exotic locales and they said that the three-wheelers are usually an option.
That bike is a SWEET RIDE! Do you think she’ll trick it out? I’m picturing streamers from the handlebars.
Love it!
I’ve been thinking we need to do something…perhaps the battery powered lights that Carole mentioned here: https://www.bringingthesunshine.com/2013/05/bikes-and-buddies/#comment-68678?
The absolute joy on SK’s face is something special to behold. Thank you so much for sharing. Awesome post too!!!
Hi! I found you via Ellen @ Love that Max, I have read some of your posts before, about Nathan but particularly about Sarah-Kate and liked and identified with them (I am an adult with CP) but this one made me feel compelled to post. I had a similar bike when I was a kid (I love also that you call it a bike not a trike) and that gave me freedom too, I never got further than the next street on it due to stamina and safety issues, but man I got many many laps of the street in and it was liberating since I cannot walk any great distance unaided, but on the bike I could go all day and FAST! Obviously this is just one picture of her on her bike and you may have her wear a helmet in all circumstances, but if you don’t, please do. I had a major fall from mine when I took a left turn way too fast (stupid idea for a left hemi but I had just got out of hospital and was giddy with health and freedom) and came off and knocked myself unconscious with resulting blue lights to hospital and all that lovely stuff. I lost a huge amount of confidence after that and with growth, spasticity and other stuff I never really got back into it until recently, I borrow a recumbent trike which makes me feel much safer.) Just a friendly suggestion, but thank you for sharing and happy biking, Sarah-Kate!
I just want to thank you for sharing your story. I am a mother to a boy of special needs. Lately I have been struggling, as my darling twin niece and nephew were just diagnosed with a similar disorder. It seems to be brining up all this pain that I buried away. I hurt for my family, and my sister especially. Although I know there is hope, but at the moment it has evaded me. For some reason, finding blogs like this is the only thing that helps. So just- thank you.