Austin, a 7 year old with a condition called Schizencephaly, a rare brain malformation. Along with Septo Optic Dysplasia. We Adopted Austin the day after he was born, the minute we saw him we knew he was our missing piece. He made us a family!
If you have ever had the chance to meet Austin, you know that incredible smile he is famous for. A smile that is a constant expression of who he is even in the thick of it all, school, therapies, doctor appointments, equipment fittings, AFO's and hand splints. His daily life is unlike most others. Austin is wheelchair bound and vision impaired. He spends his days at school where he not only receives his education but also all of his therapies, Speech, Occupational, Physical and Vision. Part of his day is spent in his stander to get him out of his wheelchair for a bit and to make sure his bones are growing properly. His entire day is spent working. Working to hold his head up, hold his body up, control his body. All with a smile on his face. Austin may be different in some ways from most kids but one thing he wants just like any other kid is to be included. Not just sit and watch while his peers play and have fun, riding bikes or playing on a playground but to be a part of it and get to experience the same joy. This adaptive bike would give Austin the opportunity to play with the neighborhood kids instead of watching from our window. This bike will give him the opportunity to learn something new that can help with his motor skills and sensory development. This bike will be one step closer to inclusion.