Gabriel Seidl, 9, suffers from a mild form of cerebral palsy. He's never been able to ride a two-wheel bike on his own, but with the help of a national organization, he's making great strides.
"More independent, getting better balance and coordination,” Gabriel’s mom Challis Holland said. “I just think he's actually tipping over and not worrying about it like he would have been before. He had training wheels and now he doesn't."
And that's the goal of “Lose the Training Wheels", a non-profit group that travels the U.S. and Canada hosting camps for those with a disability to teach them an American pastime, riding a bike.
This week “Lose the Training Wheels” was in Columbia helping those with disabilities like downs syndrome, autism and cerebral palsy learn to ride. Columbia's Ped-Net Coalition raised the funds to bring the group to town.
“It's amazing to see the transition from Monday through Friday; to see how many are riding on two wheels by Friday," Camp Supervisor Aimee Buckland said.
Organizers attribute the camp's 80 percent success rate to their specialized instruction and adapted bikes.
"They are called roller bikes,” Buckland said. “We have a set of rollers from two to eight that vary in size. They get tapered at the end. It gives them the gradual steps to simulate the two wheel bike. "
And for as long as necessary, the camp's volunteers will stay right by the rider's side; even when they can hardly keep up.
"Having fun,” Gabriel said. “Riding bikes."
As for Gabriel’s mom, she said the camp has helped with more than just his riding skills.
"He doesn't have to sit on the sidelines and watch other people do it,” Holland said. “Now he can be involved."
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