Naperville mom's efforts gives mobility to youngsters

The thrill of riding a bicycle is a rite of passage for many suburban youngsters who relish increased independence, freedom of movement and the feeling of being able to fly. But for 13-year-old Lauren Rosen of Hoffman Estates, acquiring an adaptive bicycle is more than a dream of flying.

The Adams Junior High School eighth-grader is among 15 suburban youth who were selected and fitted for special adaptive bicycles this fall thanks to an anonymous donor, the efforts of a dedicated community volunteer, and the Naperville-based not-for-profit Windy City Trykes chapter.

Rosen, who was diagnosed with Rett syndrome just before her second birthday and faces both physical and cognitive challenges associated with the disorder, “is beyond lucky,” according to her mom, Gail, who says her daughter's last-minute selection to receive an adapted bike is nothing short of miraculous.

The young teen is nonverbal and has received physical, occupational and speech therapies for more than 10 years to help combat the slowing of development, loss of purposeful use of the hands and fine motor skills, and distinctive neurological challenges of Rett's. Insurance coverage for therapy ended recently and the family has struggled to find ways for Lauren to be active and slow progression of the disorder which almost exclusively strikes girls.

“An adapted bicycle with a special bar, pedals, back support and other features will allow Lauren to ride with assistance and at the same time keep her muscles working,” she states. “It's a blessing she was selected and bike riding is sure to become a great family activity.”

Individually adapted bicycles, like the kind Lauren needs, come with a hefty price tag, often more than $3,500.

“It's an expense many families with special needs children simply can't absorb into personal budgets already stressed with the cost of multiple weekly therapy sessions, equipment, medications, caregivers and more,” says Kathe Foxen, a Naperville mother and president, Windy City Trykes.

Foxen, who has been an active special needs community volunteer in Naperville for years and served terms as a member of the Naperville Disabilities Commission and for the school district special education parent-teacher organization, says it was her son, Nick, who sparked her interest in helping others facing similar circumstances.

Now age 18 and a student at Naperville Central High School, Nick was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome, a neuro-genetic disorder characterized by severe intellectual and developmental disability, as well as a mitochondrial disorder and cyclic vomiting as a young child.

“His first adapted bicycle was expensive, but to tell the truth, I would have paid almost anything just to see the smile on his face and joy the bicycle brought,” she states. “It provided lots of therapy, cardiovascular exercise, and gave us an activity we could do as a family.”

After seeing her son's joy, she and her husband, Mike, who owns and operates a UPS store in downtown Naperville, began searching for ways to help others.

“Kathe is just as busy as the rest of us with children with special needs, yet she has managed to start something pretty amazing benefiting people with disabilities,” says Kim Winters, the mother of Elena, another special needs child who also received a Windy City Trykes adapted bicycle this year.

Her husband, Mike, discovered a North Carolina-based national service organization for business professionals called Ambucs, which to date has provided more than $8 million in grants for those with disabilities. An offshoot of the program is dedicated to providing adapted bicycles, Amtrykes, so those with special needs can ride and operate a bicycle on their own. Impressed with the bikes and due to the organization's not-for-profit status, the Foxens learned they would be able to keep prices down to $800-$1,000 per bike.

“”When she heard about Ambucs and their mission to provide Amtryke bicycles to those who needed one, Kathe knew she had to find a way to make it happen,” explains Winters. “Through grants, elbow grease and sheer willpower, she managed to provide professionally fitted, adapted bikes to many. It's her vision and leadership which drive the program.”

With no Chicago area chapter, the Foxens founded Windy City Trykes, a 501(c) 3 organization, on Jan. 1 and in a very short period of time have worked to change the lives of many children, teens and young adults — 11 bikes since Jan. 1 and 15 more this fall.

The Windy City Trykes president credits many generous benefactors for program success including one large anonymous donor, volunteer physical therapists who professionally fit each recipient with an Amtryke and recommend modifications, six chapter members and her husband who is in charge of bike assembly.

Bike recipients are asked to help fundraise a portion of the cost. Donations may be made by sending a check to Windy City Trykes, 1212 S. Naper Blvd., No. 351, Naperville, IL 60540. For information visit online at www.windycitytrykes.org or email windycitytrykes@gmail.com.