District 157-C administrative team members participate in rewarding experience

During the week of June 8-12, some administrative team members from Frankfort School District 157-C participated in the iCan Bike program offered to special needs students in Lincoln-Way Area Special Education District 843. Hosted by District 843 and held at Lincoln-Way Central High School, 157-C Superintendent Dr. Maura Zinni, Director of Special Services Jen Bajda, Grand Prairie Elementary School Principal Eileen Nelson and Administrative Assistant Renae Kasper found the experience very rewarding. The 157-C volunteers worked with Speech Pathologist Sue Fronek of District 843 to serve as “spotters” for campers learning to ride bicycles.

iCan Bike uses a fleet of adapted bicycles, a specialized instructional program and a trained staff to teach individuals with disabilities how to ride a bike. Riders attend the same 75-minute session each day for five consecutive days and are physically assisted and encouraged by two volunteer “spotters.” During the course of the five-day camp, the adapted bike is adjusted to gradually introduce more instability in an effort to challenge riders at their own individual pace. Over 80 percent of riders learn to ride a conventional bicycle independently by the end of camp. The week is concluded with a touching and inspiring awards ceremony. Additionally, this year FNA Bicycles of New Lenox participated in the program and generously offered to give participants a bike at the end of the camp if they do not have one.

iCan Bike riders are children ages eight and up, teens and sometimes adults who have a diagnosed disability. To be eligible to enroll, riders must be at least eight years old, have a disability and be able to walk without an assistive device such as a walker or cane. Riders must be able to side-step quickly to both sides, and must have a minimum inseam measurement of 20 inches and weigh no more than 220 pounds. The camp is open to all individuals who meet registration requirements, regardless of where they live.

The iCan Bike program is conducted under the iCan Shine national charitable nonprofit organization. It collaborates with local organizations and individuals who act as program ‘hosts’, to conduct over 100 five-day iCan Bike programs in 32 States and 3 Provinces in Canada serving nearly 3,000 people with disabilities each year. The organization began in 2007 and, since then, has successfully taught approximately 20,000 people with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheel bicycle. More info is at www.icanshine.org.

District 157-C Superintendent, Dr. Maura Zinni stated, “My biker transitioned to the regular bike today. It was awesome!” The impact of learning to ride a bicycle independently, and the high level of success in helping people with disabilities accomplish this feat, continues to drive demand for the programs of the iCan Shine organization. Parents, teachers and therapists often describe camp results as incredible.

Shown:

Photo 1 - District 157-C Superintendent Dr. Maura Zinni is a “spotter” for camper Colin Hurwith from Naperville at the iCan Bike program.
Photo 2 - District 157-C’s Renae Kasper and Jen Bajda work with camper Drew Hurwith.

Photo 3 - Dr. Zinni and volunteer Zach Bennett work with camper Dominic DeRoos from Manhattan.

Photo 4 - 157-C volunteers Dr. Zinni, Renae Kasper, Eileen Nelson and Jen Bajda at the iCan Bike event.