'Happy Wheels'

The money raised by Amway distributors for the Freedom Wheels program has made a difference to the lives of many Australian children. Six-year-old Jacob Van Gent is just one of them.

Jacob has Multicystic Leukoencephalopathy and developmental delay, which means although he is mentally alert, he has poor motor skills and has not yet begun to walk or speak. "But he can spot a McDonalds sign from the car, with or without his glasses," says his father, Jacob senior.

The Van Gent family found out about the Technical Aid to the Disabled (TAD) - the service provider of the Freedom Wheels program - from the Spastic Centre, where Jacob receives treatment. TAD designed a whole range of aids to help the Van Gent family before designing a bicycle for Jacob. The bike was selected by the Van Gent family on advice from TADNSW staff, and then modified by volunteers Andrew Manning and Jim Lemon. The modifications included large footcups, an eight inch seat, a fixed rearwheel, stabilizer wheels, a high riser bar, a pelvic belt, trunk stabilizer fins with mesh straps, and a tow handle mounted to the front handlebar.

Jacob almost didn't get the bike as a problem was detected at his assessment. He was persistently extending his feet forward in line with his lower leg when trying to push down on the pedals, and TADNSW staff were concerned that his ankles might be damaged. However, this was solved with a newly-designed brace fixed beneath the pedal-mounted footcups, which wraps onto his calf and holds his foot in the correct position.

Jacob clearly loves the bike. "We take him out and we're exhausted after an hour, but he's still going," Jacob senior said. His mother Jody adds that it will be very good for his muscle development and fitness, as it's the only kind of exercise he gets.

Distributors around Australia have come up with creative and fun ways of raising money for Freedom Wheels, including fun runs, parties and chocolate drives or by purchasing Freedom Wheels merchandise.