Local United Cerebral Palsy presents adaptive bikes to children with disabilities

For youngsters, bicycles mean excitement, accomplishment and freedom. That is especially true for the children who receive adaptive bikes through the United Cerebral Palsy of the Inland Empire (UCPIE).

On July 23, UCPIE presented nine refurbished adaptive bikes to children with mobility disabilities. In addition, six children were fitted for custom adaptive bikes to help them to meet physical therapy goals.

The presentations took place at Alcorn Adaptive Bike and Mobility Shop in Palm Springs, which creates, services, repairs and customizes bikes, trikes and cycles of all shapes and sizes for people throughout Southern California and beyond. It has supported the UCPIE adaptive bike project for seven years.

Founder Jerry Alcorn describes his work as "a passion" and says his shop has brought him full circle.

A walking paraplegic, Alcorn said, "I'm here to help the community. If there's a need, we do it."

Since 2012, UCPIE’s Team Freedom has been walking and riding in the Tour de Palm Springs to raise money for more children with mobility disabilities to receive custom adaptive bicycles at no cost to their families.

The first year, UCPIE took part with just one bicycle.

UCPIE President and CEO Greg Wetmore said: "We raised $668 dollars, and we thought it was great. Now we have the largest number of children with disabilities riding, in a noncompetitive ride, in the United States. We're very, very proud of that."

Wetmore noted that the chapter has now presented 97 adaptive bikes to children and their families.

"These are children who have never been on a bike," he said. "When you see them on a bike, the joy that they experience makes it all worthwhile."

For more information on United Cerebral Palsy of the Inland Empire, visit ucpie.org.

Barbara Kerr is a freelance communication specialist with a passion for writing about people, the arts and special events. Inducted into the Dayton (Ohio) Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame, she is a past chair of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) College of Fellows.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: UCPIE presents adaptive bikes to children with mobility disabilities