SPRING, Texas – Bryce Swearengin, a 3-year-old boy with spina bifida, is finally able ride a bike with his classmates thanks to the dedicated staff at his school.
During gym time at Spring Baptist Church’s Mother’s Day Out program, Bryce usually sits with his teachers while he watches the other kids ride around on their tricycles.
Bryce has spina bifida which is a condition where the baby’s spinal cord does not fully close. When he was born, Bryce’s nerves developed outside of his body leaving them damaged from the waist down.
He can’t walk on his own and uses “his car” or a walker to get around school. He often crawls in the classroom, but isn’t able to ride a bike with his classmates during gym period.
The teachers noticed his consistent positive attitude despite his disability and wanted to do something to help him. MDO director Jeanie Austin and her team went to work, researching the internet to find a bike for Bryce.
“Bryce is amazing,” said Austin. “He has blessed everybody here with his attitude. He’s the one making us happy and we wanted to do this for him.”
They needed something where he could use just his arms and found only expensive options. So Austin found an alternate choice which was not specifically made for children with disabilities--a regular toy called a Radio Flyer Cyclone. Bryce could maneuver the vehicle with his arms and finally participate with the other kids.
The school presented it to Bryce on Sept. 1. It was first day that he could ride around the gym with his friends.
Thanks to the staff at Spring Baptist Church, Bryce doesn't have to sit on the side and watch his friends ride around on bikes. He's got his own special set of wheels! STORY-->http://bit.ly/2cynEm5
Posted by KPRC2 / Click2Houston on Tuesday, September 6, 2016
“Bryce just took off in it,” said Austin. “Now he’s so happy. He’s down there rolling with the rest of them.”
Bryce’s mother, Carla Swearengin, said that he gets along well with his classmates and his new bike allows him to fully participate in all the school activities.
“He’s always super happy and social,” Swearengin said. “Everybody has loved this kid since the day he was born.”
Bryce’s reaction to his new ride?
“He absolutely loves it!” Swearengin said.
Austin said she’s already been contacted by other schools wondering where she got the Radio Flyer for Bryce.
To learn more about spina bifida, visit the organization’s website at http://spinabifidaassociation.org.