Friday, May 15, 2020

A feel good story to warm your heart.................





Well my friends I have a feel good story for you that will warm your heart.  Little Buddy got a brand new bike and it is amazing!  But there is more to it than that.  I have been trying for months to get a new bike for him paid for by his insurance.  I went to the top of the top, and even though he needs this for endurance, trunk control, balance, visual orientation, lower extremity use and independent function they would not pay for it.  Here is the thing, special needs bikes are super expensive.  You can't go to the local bike store or even your local Walmart and buy one.  You can if you are an adult, but not a child with special needs.  

I was talking to a woman who is helping us with Little Buddy's subsidy and while I was talking about his need for a new bike, his need for a new bed which has to be lower than a regular bed and has to have a really good mattress for his tight muscles, and while I discussed how much his special needs camp will be this summer, twice the amount it was last year, so we are restricted in the weeks we can afford for him to go.  While I was upset about how much this will all cost, when I am not working as much and paying my babysitter twice as much because my boy is home from school due to the Coronavirus and we all have to work...............well she had an idea. 

She told me about an organization that helps children in foster care or who have been adopted out of the foster care system get one item they need. It is called One Simple Wish and it works with children throughout the country.  She contacted her friend who runs the organization and then asked me to submit a photo and a little background information about my sweet boy.  So I did.  I checked their Facebook page a few times but I am not a big Facebook user so I did not keep checking.  It seemed that there were emergencies for kids needing laptops and tablets due to online schooling from the Coronavirus.  Little Buddy was not an emergency.  So you can imagine my shock when I got home from work last Tuesday and there was a big box in my garage.  I opened it and saw the most beautiful blue bike.

My husband put this beauty together on Sunday with a little help from Mr 26.  It is a wonderful tricycle that actually rides like a real bike.  The pedals are hooked up to the chain and your legs have to move independently of each other unlike a tricycle whose pedals are hooked up to the front wheel.  When that wheel moves the pedals move so you don't have to use your legs independently of each other, your legs keep moving as long as the wheel is moving.  Little Buddy was so excited to try his new bike but it was really hard and he just could not get that right leg of his to move up and over the rotation of the pedal, it just kept getting stuck.  He had a complete meltdown and said he never wanted to ride his bike again.  After talking about working on things that are hard, practicing until you get it, which might take some time, and a nice break he decided to try again.

We went outside and my friends he did it!  He rode 3-4 rotations at a time with help getting his right leg to move only at the beginning of the ride.  I screamed so loud the first time he did it he almost fell off the bike!  Since that ride on Sunday afternoon he has improved so much.  He can ride it two and a half times around our cul-de-sac without stopping.  He is even starting to start his ride with no help if his right leg is not at the top of the pedaling cycle.  He is getting so much stronger and he is so, so proud of himself, as we all are.  Riding a bike is so hard to do for a child who has cerebral palsy.  You have to make those legs work independently of each other, especially your weaker side. You have to balance on the seat, control your trunk and head, hold onto the handle bars with both hands, even your weaker hand, visually attend to where you are going, and you have to have the endurance and strength to keep going.  He is amazing and getting stronger every time he rides it.

There are such good people out there in this complicated world of ours.  As I did not know he was even on their site I have no idea who contributed to help him get this bike.  The day after it arrived I made a nice contribution to help other kids in need.  It is the least I can do.  All I know is that someone out there, or many someones out there helped my special boy get something he so deserves, and helped to ease some of the financial issues that we have to give him the life he so deserves.  

This amazing bike is such a blessing to him and our entire family.  It is good for him therapeutically but will also make him feel more like a normal child, just out riding his bike like other kids do.  It will last him years and years because it is positioned at the very smallest it can be and has room for lots and lots of growth.  It is our feel good story of the year.  Well actually Little Buddy and his perseverance in all he does in life is our feel good story every year.  

I hope this story has warmed your heart as much as it has mine.  I feel like crying every time I think of how strangers have helped my son.  I hope my contribution, in some small way, will help other children to be as happy as my Little One.

If you are interested in One Simple Wish just click on the link and you will be directed to their website.

Stay safe and well my friends.

40 comments:

Gracie Saylor said...

I laughed out loud when you typed that you screamed...your joy and delight the first time he did it! I am happy for you all! Thanks for sharing. xx

Babajeza said...

Wonderful! :-)

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

The very best smiles and cheers and it is absolutely wonderful that your Little One has a big boy bike that gives him not only great pleasure and he is becoming stronger while he is having fun riding. Such a wonderful gift from One Simple Wish.
Hugs.
Joy

Betsy said...

Oh Meredith, I am just so happy to hear that he got that bike. Just look at that look of pride. There are SO MANY good people in this world if we just know where to look and open our eyes wide. I'm glad the the bike can grow so much with him too. I'm amazed that he is riding a bike at all.
Blessings and love,
Betsy

Teresa Kasner said...

*C*O*N*G*R*A*T*U*L*A*T*I*O*N*S*!* to your family for this wonderful gift! And how great that your friend suggested it! Your darling boy is such an inspiration to us all.. as are you. Keep going, young man, we're rooting you on! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

happy hooker said...

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! He looks so happy and proud. And I bet his Mum looks happy and proud too. Well done, Little Buddy for persevering and mastering your lovely new bike. xx

Jo said...

Your wish came true! What a wonderful thing to happen to you all. It truly was a heartwarming and a little emotional story to read Meredith. :)

linda said...

Hello my dear Meredith it was lovely to read your comment on my blog, I have been away from blogging for nearly a year but it's so good to catch up with you again although I did pop in to see how you were all doing when I could. The smile on Little Buddies face says it all, bless him what great news I'm so glad he got his lovely shiny bike and that he had the patience and endurance to learn how to ride it, I can see lots of fun times ahead. Take care Meredith and stay safe my friend. xx

CJ said...

Oh my goodness, how wonderful, I am so, so happy for you both, it's a gorgeous bike and it sounds absolutely perfect for him. And well done Little B for persevering and being so strong and determined. Learning to keep going even when things are really hard is such a good thing, and to do it at such a young age is amazing. It will stand him in good stead in life to be so hard working. I am smiling, thinking of him riding round your cul-de-sac, brilliant that you have a quiet place for him to ride. This really has been such a lovely story to start my morning, I will be thinking about it all day. Such kindness, it is wonderful. CJ xx

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful story and what a wonderful
organisation! Well done Little Buddy and
well done mum for perservering! Just a wonderful
story, even more so in these bizarre times.
Makes my heart sing for you <3

Fiona said...

I’m so happy for him. Your post today has given me tears of joy. Not all in this world is bad and depressing. Those photos of him are wonderful.

Christina said...

Such a beautiful story Meredith, it really made me happy to read about Little Buddy's new bike. I am so impressed with his perseverance and optimisms and I really glad he mastered this new difficult skill so quickly. Before you know it he'll be whizzing around the neighbourhood with his blue bike.

What a a wonderful organisation, One Simple Wish. There is so much goodness out there in this world and it is really good to have a reminder because sometimes, I find it a little difficult to be optimistic. My brother needed a bike like Little Buddy's and like you, my parents were trying everything to get him one because his insurance didn't cover bikes. In the end, they found a local bike mechanic who built him one. He was the happiest little boy in the village that summer.

Have a wonderful weekend my friend xx

Jo said...

I think Little Buddy's smile says it all. What a wonderful organisation helping kids get something they need, and all the people who donate, reading a story like this shows how important those donations are to someone's life.

mamasmercantile said...

How wonderful, I am thrilled that special boy got what he so deserves. A special story for a special family. Take care dear friend.

Clicky Needles said...

Oh my word, that is one happy boy! I am so pleased for all of you. CNx

Araignee said...

How great is that??? Look at that smile!

Delighted Hands said...

We are all smiling with you! What a wonderful, joyous accomplishment for your whole family! We get by with a little help from our friends....

Janice Smith said...

In the midst of this horrific pandemic, it is important to celebrate wonderful stories like this and to remember that life is still good!
That’s is one happy, handsome little boy!

Karen said...

I have tears in my eyes here. So happy for him, for you, for a world where people are kind and generous so that a little boy can have a bicycle of his dreams.

kathy b said...

SO much joy that boy brings to all of us. How difficult it must be to pedal a bike with legs that don't know/want to work. Hooray for wonderful charities . Hooray for wonderful families . Sweet !

Anonymous said...

Makes my heart sing and eyes tear up! Good people in the world. Little Buddy looks so happy on his bike. -Polly

Nance said...

Isn't that wonderful! Every kid needs a bicycle, and now LB has one, too. He'll have all kinds of independent fun and build strength, confidence, and a great sense of pride and accomplishment. What a great gift!

Ellen D. said...

This is just the kind of story we need to hear right now! People helping people! This is great news and I am so happy for Little Buddy.
Way to go, Buddy!

Anonymous said...

crying Happy Tears here.
it not only warms my heart it reminds me that no matter WHO
thinks they are 'in charge'... it's the PEOPLE who care about little boys
who need what they need who are truly in charge.
someday we'll surely see the importance of helping ALL the Little Buddies out there! sending you much love Mere! XOXOXO

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Little Buddy on riding your bicycle. I love the color of the bicycle. Have fun and enjoy.
Marilyn

Eileen in Fla. said...

Just look at that face! There's no greater gift than a child's smile. I made a small donation to 'One Simple Wish' in honor of you in my heart. I appreciate and admire foster and adoptive parents so much. My daughter tried it for awhile, but fostering is not for everyone. Thank you for reminding us that there is much goodness in this world.

bittenbyknittin said...

Some happy news, something we all can use these days!

Dee said...

So happy for Little Buddy! I know he'll put that bike to good use.

Melanie said...

I am so incredibly happy for Little Buddy ~ and you! I remember you talking before about how he needed a special bike. What a wonderful organization that helps provide these needed things for children and families in need. I have bookmarked the site and when I'm able to make a donation, I will be doing so. I also use Smile Amazon site when I order from Amazon and I change my charity each year. When it comes time to change my charity, I am going to support One Simple Wish.

If LB still needs a special bed and mattress, plus funds for camp, etc., can you set up a Go Fund Me page?

xoxo

sewing green lady said...

Well done little Buddy that is so wonderful and it has certainly cheered me up. You deserve it and what an amazing surprise.

Lorrie said...

This just makes me smile all over. How wonderful to see the goodness in peoples' hearts. Hooray for Little Buddy!

handmade by amalia said...

Oh, this is wonderful! The perfect post to begin the day. Good for you!!!
Amalia
xo

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

How wonderful! And exciting. So funny because yesterday when we were out walking, we saw a little girl on a nice sized tricycle and I said I would like to have something like that. :) Glad to know that with encouragement Little B was able to get back out there and master the pedaling. He is a super duper awesome little buddy.

karen said...

this is the best blog post to read and how wonderful for your son to get the bike and ride it!!! How very exciting for him!

TheAwakenedSoul said...

That is fantastic news! I am so happy for you and Buddy. He is really going to improve on so many levels from having this wonderful bike. It's beautiful, by the way. It is amazing how riding a bike affects you. He will get so strong. Plus, it makes you feel happy and connected. I am thrilled for you.

Judy S. said...

Your story and the smile on LB's made made my day! Thanks for sharing!

Jodiebodie said...

Oh Meredith! That is absolutely marvellous! What a thrill and relief for you all. Congratulations to you for never giving up on finding a way to get LB what he needs and congratulations to LB on his new bike and his fantastic efforts to learn to ride it. He is learning the valuable lessons of persistence and determination. He will enjoy that it will get easier as he grows stronger. Well done LB, or as they say in Australia: "Onya!" (good on you!)
Yes, this story made my day today. :-) xxx

Jeannie Gray Knits said...

That's fantastic! I'm so happy for and proud of Little Buddy for mastering it. Every boy needs a bike!

Blondie's Journal said...

Your post brought tears to my eyes, Mere. I'm seeing so many acts of kindness during these insanely hard times, but knowing the joy you felt when you saw that bike on your porch made me love you even more. And...when Little Buddy lost his faith in ever riding it again, you handled it so warmly, thoughtfully, and absolutely spot on--especially in taking a break from it. I think you are the most "right" person for Buddy to call Mom. Keep up the milestones and pushing through obstacles in looking out for the best for your son!❤️

Jane

Una said...

How generous of someone. That bike will work wonders and Buddy obviously loves it.