Learning to ride a bike with one hand
This summer has included so many special moments. But one of our biggest highlights focuses in on a bike. I couldn’t stop taking pictures and shooting video. After months and months of attempts and periodic moments where I was sure it could happen, Jordan finally started riding her bike. How did it happen?
Well, it’s been a process. Years of trying.
For the last year, whenever I’ve been around other adults with bike training skills, I’ve asked them to work with Jordan. She worked with Dave Rotter, her prosthetist last year and she balanced a little. She worked with helpers at Camp No Limits last year and this year. But it finally took my dad to help Jordan finally get over her deeply seated bike fears and just do it. I caught the moment he finally let go and let her ride on her own for the first time. I’ll be honest. I got teary.
Grandpa powers are quite remarkable, I must say for myself. He got all kinds of hugs.
I’m so incredibly proud of Jordan for finally pushing through her fear and discovering how much fun it is to ride a bike. After finally letting go, she rode up and down and up and down our little street in Maine. She also joined us on a couple of family bike rides on some trails. I couldn’t stop taking all of the pictures of her. My mom pride is strong with this one.
That is so awesome I am so proud of her. It gives me hope for my little boy:-)
It’s totally doable. SO many parents of one-handed kids sent me links to video and photos of their kids riding bikes. I showed Jordan and just kept encouraging her. In the end, the only person who could really get her to ride a bike was Jordan. And I think that was probably the hardest part for me!
That last picture: VICTORY! Love it!!
And I love you. You’re awesome.
Awww. I love you, too. Seriously. This bike riding thing is huge. Victory!
Jen,
Woo hoo Jordan! I can’t believe you posted this recently as just this past week my 2 1/2 year old got excited about his balance bike. Thing is, with a short left arm he’s having issues. We’re off to the bike shop tomorrow to see what we can rig up. I’m curious if you can share a few extra photos of Jordan’s bike arm? I also remember someone else in the limb different community documenting the creation of a bike arm. Don’t know if you might recall who that was? We haven’t started down the prosthetic road yet, but this makes me wonder if it’s time.
Thanks!
Hi, Susan. Jordan’s bike hand is also her kayak hand: http://www.bornjustright.org/2014/06/video-using-kayak-hand/
The hand comes from a company called TRS. She uses the “pivot” hand: http://www.trsprosthetics.com/sports-recreation/bicycling.asp
(It looks like a Lego hand that moves side to side. It also makes her look extra cool.)
Thank you Jen! The video of Jordan on the kayak explains a lot and the link to TRS is fantastic. Our local bike shop dove right into the challenge of modifying our son’s bike. Can’t wait to go in later this week for our first pass!
I’m starting to get nervous that if we don’t start in with a prosthetic arm soon we might have issues with insurance later. Have you found that to be common? A quick search brought up your blog about a county program that helped after Jordan turned three. I’ll have to see if there’s anything like that for us.
Thanks again!
[…] are very cool. Jordan has a great “sports arm” that helps her kayak and ride her bike. Her body-powered elbow arm helps her build balance to her body’s core strength. It also […]