News

AMBUCS donates special trikes for kids

Allan Berg shows one of the special tricycles for young riders with disabilities.

By Bill Moss, Published: December 4, 2014

As manager of the local Bowlers Association a few years ago, Allan Berg was asked if he would be willing to help start and support a bowling league for special needs people.

He said yes, and that's when he first became aware of AMBUCS and its efforts to help disabled children and adults. Formed in 1922, AMBUCS (American Business Clubs) raises money and takes on projects to create mobility and independence for people with disabilities.

"We've done the parking lots during the Apple Festival, poker runs, as many things as we can think of" to raise money, said Berg, who is the current AMBUCS president. The Western Carolina Friends of AMBUCS, the Community Foundation of Henderson County and physical therapist Emily Freeman of Kids N Motion joined forces to make sure that three children received the special tricycles, which are custom-made to fit the disability of each rider. If the child has no legs, he gets a trike that can be hand pedaled. If her head needs support, the bike is built with a special brace.

Even though the trikes' delivery just three weeks before Christmas was coincidental, the kids will still have a good time riding their shiny new tricycles here at the holidays.

"This one here is close to $900," Berg said, "and the reason is it's custom made. As far as the individual, it costs nothing to get a trike. They must be assessed by a physical therapist."

On Thursday, Berg and Freeman helped a 12-year-old girl and 4-year-old boy climb aboard their new trikes.

"We've had them with no legs," Berg said. "We've had kids that have never walked before. The thing to see is when they get this all ready for them and they hop on there and away they go."