Suffolk Reporter

Pictured with the AmTrykes at John S. Hobart Elementary School (l-r) are Ravi Seeram, assistant director of special education, William Floyd School District; Dr. Stacey Scalise, assistant superintendent for elementary instruction, administration & pupil personnel services, William Floyd School District; Debbie Metz, president of AMBUCS LI and of the Kyle Sports for Special Needs inclusion program; Kyle Meier, vice president, Kyle Sports for Special Needs inclusion program; and James Westcott, principal, John S. Hobart Elementary School.

Riding a bicycle is a childhood rite of passage and thanks to Debbie Metz and her work with AMBUCS LI and the Mastic Sports Club’s Kyle Sports for Special Needs inclusion program, in collaboration with the William Floyd School District, more children from the community are having that opportunity.

The district recently purchased 10 AmTrykes, adaptive therapeutic tricycles that give those who cannot ride traditional bicycles the opportunity to ride as a new addition to the district’s Special Education Extended School Year program.

“During our summer program, students had the opportunity to try the various bike models as well as use them during occupational and physical therapy,” said Ravi Seeram, assistant director of Special Education and principal of the district’s Special Education Extended School Year program. “The smiles and laughter from our children were electric. Our goal is to explore more opportunities for participation and fun for all of our students.”

Adaptive bikes have been shown to improve coordination, motor skills, strength and self-esteem while enhancing student participation and engagement. Bikes can be customized for any particular need based on the individual.

After the conclusion of the Extended School Year program, the AmTrykes have been deployed to various buildings for students who need them during occupational and physical therapy as well as physical education classes during the school year.

Debbie Metz, president of the Long Island Chapter of AMBUCS who also runs the Mastic Sports Club’s Kyle Sports for Special Needs inclusive sports program has been instrumental in advocating for students with disabilities in the William Floyd School District and beyond. Along with her grandson Kyle Meier, Mrs. Metz created an inclusion sports program for children with special needs and disabilities ages three to 21 advocating for their inclusion and introducing adaptive playgrounds across the community. She also serves as president of AMBUCS LI chapter. Kyle Sports and AMBUCS LI periodically host bike-a-thon fundraisers offering children an opportunity to test out AmTrykes to see if adaptive trikes are a good fit for them.

About AMBUCS LI

AMBUCS is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating mobility and independence for people with disabilities. The Long Island Chapter of AMBUCS focuses on the AmTryke Project which entails fitting, fundraising, and donating AmTryke therapeutic tricycles to individuals with disabilities. As the only chapter on Long Island, AMBUCS LI provides bikes to children, adolescents, and adults across both Nassau and Suffolk counties.

The AmTryke Project enables individuals with disabilities to safely ride bikes improving quality of life and promoting independence through exercise. This is achieved through various adaptations including frame size, frame positioning, seat selection headrests lateral support foot cups handgrip placement pedal size ensuring a perfect individual fit.

AMBUCS partners with local businesses and providers to host Bike Days throughout the year where individuals can be evaluated and fitted for their bike.

About MSC Kyle Sports

MSC Kyle Sports for Special Needs an inclusion sports program for children with disabilities ages three to 21 is a community support program extending opportunities to open doors for every child. MSC Kyle Sports invites all to attend enjoying milestones in socialization interaction sports training at their own level of participation building confidence self-esteem peer unity following directions learning by example acceptance group support encouragement.

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