Meet James
Adapted trike
James McClure – who his mum Fionnuala describes as “such a lovely wee lad” – has cerebral palsy, which affects his mobility and speech. When James expressed an interest in cycling, his family were determined to make it happen.
Fionnuala explains:
“Due to James’ condition he can be very unsteady on his feet and trip easily, so he has to be careful. But he’s the sort of lad that wants to give anything a go. Of course, James is unable to ride a regular bike, so we started looking into specialist trikes. At a cost of over £2,000 though, we knew it would take a long time to save up. We wanted him to experience the joy and freedom of cycling while he’s still young enough to enjoy it.”
Children Today, provided almost half the funding, which means James now has a specially adapted trike designed to meet his needs.
James McClure has has cerebral palsy, which affects his mobility and speech.
“Getting the trike has been great for James. As he’s getting older it’s good for him to be a bit more independent. James tires easily when walking, so having the trike means he can get out and about more easily, while getting regular exercise. We’ve been out as a family on our bikes lots over the summer and James has also joined his uncle on bike rides,” said Fionnuala.
The trike is not only giving James greater mobility, but also boosting his self-confidence, helping him overcome shyness and enjoy a positive lift to his mental health. Fionnuala continues:
“There are lots of things that James misses out on. He can’t really play ‘rough and tumble’ or join in with football with his friends, so he can often feel left out. This trike has had such a positive impact on his confidence and mental health. People often stop us to ask about it, and it gives James a real sense of pride.”
When asked what he thinks about the trike, James said:
“I absolutely love it and it’s much easier than walking!”
“As James grows up, I’m sure in the not-too-distant future, it will also provide more opportunities for him to meet up with his friends and feel included,” Fionnuala adds.
Can you help us help more children like James?
Your donation, whether small or large could make a BIG difference!
