KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A nonprofit that helps children across the world, and which has a chapter in East Tennessee, gave away tricycles on Monday to help make sure four children had the confidence and equipment needed to gain mobility, freedom and independence.
The Variety Kids on the Go initiative is meant to make sure children with disabilities get the equipment they need to be mobile and stay active. It usually provides funding for wheelchairs, adaptive bikes, home ramps, vehicular ramps and similar equipment. On Monday, it gave away specially adaptive trikes, each trike uniquely to match each child and their own abilities.
The nonprofit gave the equipment away in the Regal lobby, and the trikes were provided by Numotion.
"It was just a little bit of Christmas coming early for the children," said Carol Fusco, the executive director of Variety of Eastern Tennessee. "They have trikes they can use at therapy, but this, right here, is an opportunity for them to own their very own trike. You know, a bike is a rite of passage for any child, regardless of ability."
Low-income families can apply for children to participate in the Variety Kids on the Go initiative if their children are 19 years old or younger, and if they live in East Tennessee. Children also need to live with a disability which can be enhanced with specifically requested equipment.
Applications are reviewed quarterly and are due each year on Feb. 1, May 1, Aug. 1, and Oct. 24.
Through the initiative, the nonprofit said children have the chance to be participants at home, in school and to play with other children.