Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative Students Explore Adaptive Bicycles That Suit Their Needs

DARTMOUTH — Executive Director Catherine Cooper is pleased to share that Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative students had a chance to experiment with adaptive bicycles built to meet their individual needs during SMEC’s Bike Day.

Organized by Physical Therapy Assistant Jessica Roderick, SMEC Bike Day was held on Friday, Sept. 22 at SMEC’s facility in Dartmouth.

During the event, SMEC students aged three to 15 had the opportunity to ride a Freedom Concept Adaptive Bicycle. For many students, this was their first time ever riding a bike on their own. 

 Click here to watch a video. 

“Emotions flooded over me while seeing Evelyn in the adapted bike for the first time… Seeing my daughter independently mobile for the first time was an indescribable feeling,” said SMEC parent Sarah Jackson about her daughter’s experience. “Evelyn needs adult assistance in all of her equipment, including her wheelchair, but she was able to pedal this bike on her own.”

Freedom Concepts bikes are adaptive bicycles that can be customized and adjusted to the exact specifications and unique requirements of the rider. Each model can be tailored with special seating, footplates, or headrests that make riding fun, safe, comfortable, and accessible. 

Freedom Concepts Representative Jaydene Lowe conducted product sizing and evaluations for SMEC students during the event to ensure each rider’s bike fit students’ unique needs.

Beyond the sense of independence Evelyn could have from riding the bike, it also gave her critical range of motion, core strengthening and motor skills, according to her mother.

Funds raised from the 2022 Health and Wellness Walk-a-Thon were used to help SMEC secure their own Freedom Concepts bike following the event. 

“We are grateful to our Friends of SMEC parents’ group for helping us to secure a new Freedom Concept bike for our SMEC students,” said Executive Director Catherine Cooper. “These bikes not only allow children to feel the sense of inclusion that comes from riding a bike with their peers, but also provide them with training for motor skills, muscle memory, and more.” 

Through its Dream Bike Program, Freedom Concepts connects businesses to not-for-profit organizations to help fund adaptive bikes for children. Freedom Concepts also works closely with many foundations, community groups, and charities to help fund or partially fund mobility equipment.

About Freedom Concepts Inc.

Freedom Concepts custom-builds adaptive tricycles, Chill-Out Chairs, and other early intervention devices. Freedom Concepts products provide mobility and therapeutic benefits to thousands of individuals throughout Canada, the United States, and globally. 

Working with medical professionals, therapists, and families, all Freedom Concepts products have been thoughtfully designed to accommodate the needs of individuals living with limited mobility due to cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, Angelman syndrome, Rett syndrome, visual impairment, and many others. 

To learn more about Freedom Concepts, click here.

ABOUT SMEC 

The Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative is a public education collaborative established in 1975. SMEC is an extension of 10 public school systems, which make up its membership. The present membership includes the Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Fall River, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, Rochester and Old Rochester Regional public school districts. SMEC accepts students for enrollment in its programs from school systems throughout Southeastern Massachusetts. The Collaborative’s programs and services are locally based and locally directed and are designed to supplement the special education resources of its member districts.

SMEC offers a variety of services for students with special needs aged 3-21 as well as adults with developmental disabilities. To learn more about the Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative, visit smecollaborative.org.

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