An Imperial mother and father are asking people to help them win an adaptive tricycle for their 2-year-old son who has non-verbal autism, chronic lung disease, sleep apnea and global developmental delays.
Brittany and Cavion Bonds have entered their son, Phoenix, in a contest sponsored by the Great Bike Giveaway, a nonprofit group that awards adaptive bikes to participants who either collect the most votes in their category or who win a drawing if they collect at least 50 votes.
The Bonds are asking people to vote for their son, who was leading his voting category to receive a Rifton Adaptive Tricycle on March 4.
To vote, go to greatbikegiveaway.com/PhoenixBonds.
Voting closes Wednesday, March 16. Winners will be announced Thursday, March 17, according to the Great Bike Giveaway website.
A small Rifton tricycle costs about $1,550, according to the company’s website.
Brittany said modifications to the tricycle to meet Phoenix’s needs could double or even triple the price.
There also is a fundraising component to the giveaway, allowing entrants who collect enough money to be awarded a bike. Donations may be made on the same website where votes are cast.
Brittany said Phoenix was born at just 30 weeks in the back of an ambulance near the intersection of Saline Road and Romaine Creek Road in unincorporated Fenton. She said he spent 83 days in the newborn intensive care unit at Mercy Children’s Hospital in St. Louis and was released on Valentine’s Day in 2020 on oxygen support and continuous heart monitoring.
Brittany said Phoenix is unable to use a regular tricycle because he lacks trunk support, which leaves him at risk of falling off the seat.
He also is unable to pedal with his feet or steer a tricycle with his hands, which makes it difficult for a caregiver to stoop over him to balance Phoenix on the seat and push and steer the bike at the same time.
She said her son receives in-home physical, occupational, speech and applied behavioral analysis therapies, and the tricycle could help with his physical and occupational therapy.
Brittany also said the adaptive tricycle could grow with Phoenix because the family could add accessories, like a communication device tray and a front guide bar should he learn how to pedal on his own.
“Phoenix has a love for the outdoors, and it has been on his therapy ‘wish list’ to obtain an adaptive bike,” Brittany said. “In good weather, Phoenix’s two older brothers (London Ross and Maveryck Bonds) love to ride their bikes outside, zooming up and down the street.
“Phoenix shows much interest in participating by giggling alongside in his stroller.”