The power of the bike
Thread started by
Creative Thing at 03.20.08 - 10:39 am
We should invite her to join one of our rides, or maybe organize one for her.
Gift of a bike opens paths for girl with paralyzed legs
Kiwanis Club of Santa Ana raised nearly $1,200 to give 14-year-old girl bike she always wanted.
By DOUG IRVING
The Orange County Register
SANTA ANA – Sanjuana Cervantes struggled for words as she admired her new, cherry-red tricycle. "All my life," she said when someone asked if that's what she wanted. "So bad."
Sanjuana was born 14 years ago with a spinal birth defect that paralyzed her legs. She had asked her mother not long ago if they could stop going to the park; she didn't want to see the other girls ride their bikes.
Wednesday, the Kiwanis Club of Santa Ana invited Sanjuana to their meeting to receive a citizenship award. And then they drew back a curtain to reveal a new bike, with special supports for her legs and three wheels powered by hand pedals.
Sanjuana covered her mouth with her hand, then closed her eyes against the tears. A club member asked if she wanted to say anything, but she just shook her head.
"I looked at it, and I got so emotional that I couldn't speak," she said later.
Her parents, Angel and Maria Cervantes of Santa Ana, had been trying to save their money to buy Sanjuana the bike. But, in the end, it was the Kiwanis Club and a private company, LJ Hausner Construction, that covered the $1,195 cost.
Sanjuana's first bike ride was just a short trip around the room where the Kiwanis meet. "Wow," she said afterward. "Amazing. I love it."
And then she said she'd like to go for a ride through the park.
Contact the writer: 714-704-3777 or dirving@ocregister.com
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/sanjuana-santa-asked-2002229-club-kiwanis
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Ridazz Roulette!
