Luke Get’s A Bike!

Crawfordsville resident Luke Rice is a 15-year-old boy with a sweet and happy spirit who enjoys wearing hats and watching people.  At seven days old Luke had open heart surgery due to a heart defect at birth. At 6 months old Luke was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and he is currently doing physical therapy to help with his muscle tone.

Luke’s therapist at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, Sarah Gonzalez, suggested to Luke’s parents that the Crawfordsville Kiwanis Club might be able to help by providing some adaptive equipment that would help Luke exercise his legs. The Crawfordsville Kiwanis Club was happy to help.  Through a short fundraising campaign and with the help of the Montgomery County Community Foundation the club was able to order a new adaptive bike for Luke.

On Thursday, August 3rd, the club presented the bike to Luke and his parents at their regular meeting. Luke was very excited and even took the bike out for a test ride when he got home.

The Crawfordsville Kiwanis Club is thankful to the donors in the community that were able to help in providing this piece of adaptive equipment to Luke. If you would like to hear more about the club’s efforts in working with kids in the Montgomery County community, you are invited to attend one of their meetings held every Thursday at 11:30 am in the Donnelly room at the Crawfordsville District Public Library.

Pictured are Luke Rice at the meeting and on his first trip around home.