Fundraiser Aims to Provide Bike for Plainfield Teen with Neurological Disorder

Plainfield 17-year-old Ashley Scott has Rett syndrome, a neurological disorder affecting girls that affects mobility, as well as the ability to speak, walk, eat and breathe easily.
 
Her mother, Sheila Elmore Scott, is hoping to buy her a bicycle that will allow her to ride a bike like other kids in her neighborhood.

She's launched a GoFundMe page to help purchase a $5,000 Duet Tandem Wheelchair Bicycle that will help her do just that.

"We have always tried to give Ashley every opportunity to do things ‘typical’ children do – including riding a bike -- trying several different types of tricycles with handles to push her," Sheila wrote. "However, due to her physical disabilities and her long legs (too long for tricycles), we saw our efforts weren’t working and came to realize that Ashley would not know the joy of riding a bicycle. "

Sheila said that changed when saw an ad for the tandem wheelchair bicycle. 

"On Sunday, June 29, 2014 we took Ashley to try this bicycle and as you can see by the pictures we took -- she absolutely loved it!," Sheila wrote on her GoFundMe page. "Her excitement reflects her enjoyment of riding a bike. Finally, we found an option to include Ashley, in an activity that our entire family could enjoy."

As of this week, the fundraise was more than halfway to its goal.

"It’s not easy for me to ask for help from my family and friends - and people I may not know," Sheila wrote. "However, I know Ashley deserves this one activity that she has proven to enjoy."

Visit the Ashley's Bike GoFundMe page for more information, or click on the embedded widget to find out how to help.