Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin, Inc.

Today we said good-bye to our new riders at the last day of bike camp. The last day is always inspiring, as new riders go from wobbling on 2 wheels to confident on 2 wheels inside, and finally go outside and ride around the track.  Some of our riders still are learning and riding in the gym.  Nationally, the success rate after a week at camp is about 80%, and our results have been similar.

The change from Monday in the posture and energy level of the campers is dramatic. Campers who come in tentatively and reluctantly on Monday by Friday arrive happy and leave with excitement and big smiles.

Our volunteers are amazing. We have several volunteers who have been with us for 3 years - and are looking forward to next year.  Since each rider has individual support, and several have more than one volunteer to support them, we need a lot of help. This week at camp we had 35 campers and 84 volunteers. The campers worked really hard, and so did the supporting volunteers.  I think the volunteers get as much out of this experience as the campers.  Riders and volunteers - you are amazing! It has been so fun to watch you this week!  Riders - keep riding!

Learning to ride a bike is a rite of passage for children, and something that parents of typical children take for granted.  Parents of children with developmental disabilities want for their children what all parents want - for their children to reach their full potential, for them to succeed in school, make friends, and eventually, have jobs and a home of their own.  The sense of confidence and self-esteem that mastering a skill like riding a bike can bring can carry over into other areas of a child’s life, and even change how others view the child.

Disability rights advocate Aimee Mullins discusses how our use of language - such as the word “disabled” - can lower expectations and how viewing someone as competent can actually improve behavior and performance. Aimee Mullins speaks of the opportunity of adversity.

This summer the Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin collaborated again with the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin to host 2 weeks of bike camps for individuals with disabilities.  Over 60 individuals learned to ride bikes this summer thanks to this program. See TV coverage of our Milwaukee camp here.

We would like to thank CVS Caremark for their grant in support of this program.

We had awesome volunteers, parents and campers who all worked together for success - over 85% of our campers were independently riding at the end of the 5 day program.  Congratulations to you all!

The Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin and the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin are teaming up once again to sponsor Lose the Training Wheels programs in our area. In the summer of 2009, we will host 2 programs, June 29 through July 3 at Nicolet High School in Milwaukee County and July 6 though July 10 at Union Grove Elementary School in Racine county. Pictures from last year… (more…)