Facts About Amtryke

IT IS ABOUT ABILITIES NOT DISABILITIES!

The Amtryke Project was started when we recognized that many children in our area could benefit by having an adaptive tricycle but their families could not afford one.  The Kiwanis Club of Tellico Village has been providing Amtryke adaptive tricycles since 2010 to children living with conditions which prevent them from using a conventional tricycle or bicycle for recreation or therapy.  Ideally, children of all abilities should have the opportunity for the exercise and fun that riding a bicycle or tricycle can provide.  We are committed, with our Amtryke Project, to assisting the loving families with giving their children every opportunity to improve their prospects for enhanced health and overall quality of life.

The project benefits children with conditions, such as spina bifida, autism, cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, which limit a child’s opportunities for exercise and recreation.  This often isolates them from their more able-bodied peers.  Access to adaptive equipment such as an Amtryke tricycle can contribute to a healthier and more stimulating lifestyle and can help reduce some of the challenges the child and family face.

Equipment: An Amtryke tricycle can be hand operated, foot operated or hand and foot operated.  Each Amtryke can be further configured for the different physical abilities and limitations each child has.  Thus, each recipient child is given the opportunity to ride safely and with the potential benefits of improved motor skills, strength, self-esteem, independence and social interaction.

An AmTryke tricycle can be adapted in many ways including frame size, seating and providing of head and trunk support to ensure a proper fit.  Accessory equipment is available to keep legs in proper alignment and to prevent knee scissoring.  Even hand and foot placement can be improved with available adaptive equipment.

Examples of Amtryke tricycles are shown below.

(Photos courtesy of Amtryke LLC)

Sources for Candidates: The entire project rests upon identifying children in need of an adaptive tricycle.  We reach out to schools, clinics and parents to identify such children.  We also encourage families of children we have helped to mention our project to other families who might need assistance.

Funding: As with any project, funding is a challenge.  Funding has been provided by private donations to Kiwanis Foundation of Tellico Village (our club’s 501(c)(3) charitable foundation), support from local companies and grants.  Our average cost for the purchase and shipment of a tricycle, specialized accessories and helmet is currently about $1,000.

Receiving and Processing Applications: Before accepting a request for an application, we screen requests for the child’s eligibility. Our program is intended to provide trikes to children, 18 years old and younger, whose family cannot afford the equipment. Also, it is important that the child have ready access to places where he or she can get the intended use of the trike and suitable means to transport the tricycle as needed.  These requirements are confirmed before a decision is made about proceeding with an application.  Also, a licensed physical or occupational therapist is necessary for completing the application forms.  In many prior cases, such therapist at the child’s school has completed the application forms.  If the child does not have a therapist, we can try to help find one.

Ordering Trikes: Once an application is approved, the Kiwanis Club of Tellico Village will make all arrangements for the purchase, delivery and assembly of the Amtrykes.  We enjoy a close relationship with Amtryke LLC, which designs and manufactures Amtryke tricycles, and also with a chapter of AMBUCS (American Business Clubs), which owns and operates Amtryke LLC.  We order our tricycles at a substantial discount from retail and they are delivered to us from Amtryke LLC in North Carolina.

Presentations: We coordinate with the family to schedule the presentation of the tricycle to the child.  Some presentations are made during a club meeting, and some are done more privately.  These options are discussed with the family.  Photos and videos are taken only with the permission of the parents.  Photos and videos are used for articles in our club newsletter and on our website and, when possible, articles in local newspapers.  Videos and photos are sometimes used to be show to other clubs and potential sponsors and placed on YouTube.

Encouraging Other Kiwanis Clubs: A few years after we started our Amtryke Project, we encouraged and helped other Kiwanis clubs in surrounding counties to start their own Amtryke Project to serve children living in their areas.

Additional Information: The following are Internet addresses for websites providing additional information of possible interest:

Would you like to donate to the Amtryke Project? Donations can be made to Kiwanis Foundation of Tellico Village, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation.  Checks should include Amtryke in the memo line and be mailed to:

Kiwanis Foundation of Tellico Village
Attention: Treasurer
PO Box 592
Loudon, TN 37774

You can also make a donation by clicking on the picture of the Amtryke below. The link is safe and secure opening to our club’s PayPal account.

Questions? If you still have questions, send us an email at [email protected] and include your phone number so we can call you to discuss your questions.