Family makes 'priceless' donation
<p>Holly McGlynn describes her son’s outgrown freedom concepts bike that will be donated to the community. To win the adaptive bike send a video or email to winthisbike@yahoo.com.</p>
<p>Holly McGlynn, and her son Justin, 12, get ready to go outside and take a look at Justin’s outgrown Freedom Concepts bike Friday in their Hayden home. The special wheelchair accessible bike will be donated to a community organization or a family that needs it.</p>
HAYDEN - Holly McGlynn said witnessing her son, Justin, ride a bike for the first time was a priceless experience.
"It was the first time he could ever be independent, happy, and free," the Hayden woman said.
Justin, 12, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth and cannot sit, stand, or walk on his own. His bike was built by Freedom Concepts Inc. - a Canadian company that produces a full line of bicycles for individuals with special needs and mobility challenges - and has served Justin well for the last six years.
But Justin recently grew out of the bike, leaving the McGlynns looking for another family with a child who could use it.
"A lot of good things have come our way, so it's important for us to give back to the community," McGlynn said. "It has to go to a great family because it's so amazing."
The bike came to the family while they were still living in California. McGlynn said when Justin tried the bike out for the first time, it was clear that they had found the answer for keeping the boy's weak muscles somewhat active.
When their insurance wouldn't cover the $4,300 price tag, friends and family stepped up and raised the funds.
A big smile covered Justin's face while he tried to put his first experiences with the bicycle into words.
"I can't really describe it," Justin finally said, with the smile still covering his face.
For McGlynn, having the ability to control not only the direction of the bike, but the speed of it as well, was amazing. She said it gave Justin his first step toward freedom, while providing him with all of the safety and adjustability his condition requires.
"It's an amazing piece of machinery," McGlynn said.
The family relocated to Hayden shortly after Justin got the bike, and McGlynn said the community has surrounded them with kindness and generosity. For example on Mother's Day, when the McGlynns went out to lunch they were told by their waitress that the meal was paid for by another diner.
"We've had a lot of blessings come our way and a lot of people have come into our lives," McGlynn said. "It's a beautiful thing."
Giving back as much as possible is something McGlynn has instilled in her son who, on top of giving away his bike, has been growing his hair out for the last six months to donate to Locks of Love.
"It's important to do that," Justin said.
McGlynn said the bike is intended for children between 7 and 14 years old, with a weight capacity of 150 pounds. Anyone who wishes to be considered for the bike, or knows a family who could benefit from it, is encouraged to email McGlynn at winthisbike@yahoo.com.
In three weeks, Justin will go through emails from the candidates and pick the family he feels could benefit the most from the bicycle.
"I just want it to go to a person who really, really needs it," Justin said.