EAST MOLINE, Ill. — This past week, kids from across the area participated in the Children's Therapy Center of the Quad Cities "iCan Shine Bike Camp." It wrapped up on Friday, May 7.
The camp teaches kids with disabilities how to ride a bicycle. It's part of the Center's mission to teach life skills to kids with disabilities to help them lead an independent life. The Center first started the program back in 2014. It contracts with iCan Shine — an international organization working to help those with disabilities learn how to bike, swim or dance — to put on the yearly event.
For Sjon Sunquist, an eleven-year-old with cerebral palsy, riding a bike is something that takes a little bit of extra effort, according to his mom, Emily. That’s why she believes programs like the "iCan Shine Bike Camp” are so important.
“It’s nice to have things that are geared especially for him that give extra support, so that he can do his best and really excel and get better,” she said.
In the course of one week, Sjon, like some of the other children at the camp, transitioned from training wheels to two wheels. This was a big step for Sjon, his mom says.
"He came in pretty nervous about balancing and not wanting to fall and even though he’s had a couple spills as he gets going, he’s really grown in confidence this week,” she said.
Sjon and his peers graduated from training wheels to two wheels this week. These kiddos are ready to run the road — even if it’s just in the bike lane.
Watch more news, weather and sports on News 8's YouTube channel