Meet Cody
Adapted trike & Wheelchair
11 year-old Cody – affectionately nicknamed ‘Cody Bear’ – and his family have been blessed with a summer of outdoor fun thanks to the help of Chester-based children’s disability charity, Children Today Charitable Trust.
Cody on his trike with mum, Alisha, dad, Ste and younger brother, Logan
Cody Thomas, from Ellesmere Port, has multiple conditions including Autism, Epilepsy, Global Development Delay (GDD) and ADHD.
His mum, Alisha Thomas, explains:
“We first realised there was something different with Cody at about 10-months-old. He had been hitting some of his physical milestones, but he wasn’t babbling and chatting the way most babies do, and at two-years-old he was diagnosed with Global Development Delay. Since then we’ve also found out he has Epilepsy, Autism and ADHD.
“As a family we love cycling, but obviously our Cody Bear can’t ride a regular bike as it wouldn’t be safe for him. Not only is he at risk of having a seizure, but he has the mental age of a three-year-old, so has little danger awareness.
“Cody is an absolute whirlwind and has so much energy, so it can be a challenge to keep him busy and entertained at home. He loves the outdoors and is never happier than when he’s out and about, exploring. We call him our ‘Curious George’ after the cartoon character!”
Cody’s family reached out to Children Today for support, and the charity was able to help provide an adapted trike, meaning he can finally join his younger brother, Logan, and the rest of his family on bike rides.
Alisha continues:
“When we looked into getting an adapted trike, it was ridiculously expensive. So we were incredibly grateful that Children Today was able to help. Having the trike has made a huge difference to us as a family. Simply being able to all go out on bike rides together is a major thing for us and watching him being able to play with his brother, Logan, is just amazing.
“The first week we got the trike we went to a local park, and for the first time ever we were able to just sit back and watch Cody play with Logan and his cousins, knowing he was safe. Usually we have to carefully supervise his every move, so seeing him have the freedom to play and be more independent was a very emotional moment.”
Cody’s trike has special adaptations including rear-steering control and brakes, which allows his parents and brother to help direct and stop Cody if needed. It also has a lap belt, harness and padding meaning if Cody has a seizure whilst on the trike he can’t injure himself.
Cody’s dad, Ste Thomas, says:
“It might seem extravagant, but unfortunately buying an ‘off the shelf’ bike isn’t an option for Cody, and we were desperate for him to be able to enjoy something we know he loves.
“The trike can actually be adapted to grow with him, so it will last him well into adulthood and, crucially, it breaks down easily into smaller parts, so we can take it further afield. I can also attach it to my own bike for longer bike rides, but he’s still able to pedal and get exercise.”
The trike can be attached to dad, Ste’s, bike
The trike has given Cody and his family the opportunity to experience a summer full of outdoor adventures together.
More recently Children Today, provided funding towards a lightweight wheelchair for Cody, which has transformed both Cody’s day-to-day life and the family’s ability to enjoy activities together.
Cody’s younger brother, Logan, is even able to push him in the new lightweight wheelchair.
His family has described how the wheelchair has provided Cody with a sense of security, particularly when he feels overwhelmed by crowds and noise.
Alisha explains:
“It’s hard to describe how much of a difference the lightweight wheelchair has made. It’s not only Cody’s safe space when he’s overstimulated, but it’s essential when he has a seizure while we’re out.
“Unfortunately, Cody has become resistant to his Epilepsy medication, and he can have several seizures a day. The wheelchair helps keep him safe and supports him, as after a seizure he can be very tired and unsteady on his feet.”
Cody and his family were able to take full advantage of his new wheelchair during a recent trip to Disneyworld, which, his mum says “simply wouldn’t have been possible with his old wheelchair as it was just too heavy.”
The lightweight design means that both parents, Alisha and Steve, and even Cody’s younger brother Logan, can now easily push and manoeuvre the chair and push Cody up and down curbs, ramps, and hills, allowing the family to explore with ease.
Alisha continues:
“We had the opportunity to go to Disneyworld earlier this year, but soon realised we wouldn’t be able to get the most out of the experience due to the limitations of Cody’s old wheelchair. It was just too heavy, especially in the heat, and only Steve could manage it. The new chair allowed us to do so much more than we usually could, and it made the holiday so much more accessible for us all.
“We’re very mindful that we don’t want Logan to miss out on opportunities because of the challenges Cody’s condition presents. Our extended family and the boys’ cousins also joined us on holiday, which was lovely for Logan. He loves Cody dearly, but their relationship isn’t a typical sibling relationship, so it was nice for him to be able to share the experience with his cousins.”
Cody and his family were able to enjoy a trip of a lifetime to Disneyworld thanks to his new wheelchair.
This newfound independence has made outings with Cody easier, allowing the family to navigate day-to-day life more freely and without as much reliance on Cody’s dad.
Alisha explains:
“Now, we can all take turns pushing Cody, it gives Steve some much-needed respite and means Logan gets more quality one-to-one time with his dad, too. I can also fold and lift this chair into the car, which I couldn’t do with the old chair.
“We didn’t realise just how life-changing this chair would be until we had it and started using it. The difference compared to Cody’s heavier wheelchair is incredible – it has changed our entire way of living. There’s no stopping us now!”
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