Kids with special needs gain confidence, skills at iCan Bike camp

MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) – Learning to ride a bike is a big milestone for any child.

This week, kids in the Minot area with disabilities are stepping on the pedal and learning how to ride one on their own.

Seven-year-old Avalie learned how to ride a two-wheeled bike.

Avalie doesn’t have a left hand, but that doesn’t stop her from doing the things she loves.

Avalie’s older sister, Emmalyn, has cerebral palsy.

But just like her sister, Emmalyn is determined to ride on her own.

In fact, Emmalyn became brave enough to take her skills outdoors on just day three of the week-long camp.

“She’s outside where there’s it’s a little bit different in terrain. You could pick up more speed, you have to practice your maneuvers a little bit more, so it’s pretty incredible that she’s doing that in day three,” said Prairie Grit Therapy’s Executive Director, Krystal Butgereit.

The siblings join several other kiddos in the camp, like nine-year-old Keegan, who has Down syndrome.

His dad, Devin, doesn’t get to just watch him learn, but he’s also a volunteer, helping other kids ride a bike on their own.

“It’s pretty eye-opening when you get dealt with that card–kids with special needs and realize that it’s more of a blessing than something that’s tough on you,” said Keegan’s dad, Devin Walter.

The bikes are custom-made by members of the iCan Shine organization, like Garrett Smith.

“For many of us, we take riding a bicycle as something for granted. Or, some of us learn really quickly and learn really easily, so you don’t think about the real tasks that go to it,” said Smith.

The bike itself teaches kids how to ride.

“We have this beautiful adaptive bikes that do the teaching, and we can really come in and help some riders learn in ways that they never could have,” said Smith.

The riders continue to prove that having fun has no limits.

iCan Shine is a nonprofit based in Indiana that travels the country every summer, helping kids reach a milestone in their lives.

Prairie Grit Therapy said this is their third year independently hosting the iCan Bike Camp.

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