'Let’s get this girl some wheels!' Family fundraisers created to help kids ride bikes this summer
A London Ont., family was overwhelmed by the generosity of others, that they are working to keep the momentum going for 8-year-old Siena.
Lynn and Daniel Grushka, have a 5-year-old son named Mathew, who was born with a very rare syndrome.
"It is called HIST1H1E. There is only about 50 kids in the word diagnosed with it."
Mathew lives with sensory fears and developmental delays, which can make everyday kid activities a lot more challenging.
5-year-old Mathew Grushka on a 'freedom bike' (Jordyn Read / CTV News)
5 year old, Mathew Grushka on freedom bike (Jordyn Read / CTV News)
"He hasn’t been able to ride a bike yet, so he is missing out on things kids can do and just feel that freedom," says Lynn.
So his parents took Mathew to the bike clinic at Thames Valley Children’s Centre, where he tested out his first ever freedom bike.
It is a specialized and adjustable bike, meant to help aid those living with disabilities achieve their dreams.
"Oh my god you should have seen the smile on his face. It was really emotional."
A Go-Fund Me page was created by a family friend of the Grushka family to buy Mathew a freedom bike of his own.
In no time at all, enough money was raised through donations to make that dream a reality, and now the sights are set on creating a better summer for Siena.
8-year-old Siena has Down syndrome.
8-year-old Siena Zinga (Jordyn Read / CTV News)
8-year-old Siena Zinga (Jordyn Read / CTV News)
Her mother Melissa Zinga, says Siena isn’t aware of her own strength and has trouble with riding traditional bikes.
"She has always wanted to ride bikes, for as long as she has been walking… So we got her a traditional two wheel with training wheels and unfortunately like most children, she peddled backwards and that was it, she tapped out."
But Zinga didn't give up on Siena’s dream. She took her to try out a freedom bike at Thames Children’s Centre, and that's where Siena found her stride.
"I kid you not, she got on it and peddled, I was like we are getting one of these no matter what it takes and no matter what I have to do."
While Mathew expects his freedom bike soon, Siena’s family is just short of purchasing one of their own.
A Go-Fund Me page has been created to assist, they’re hoping to raise enough funds so Siena and Mathew can ride side by side this summer.
While Mathew no longer needs donations, the family says those interested in helping can donate to a charity that supports kids just like him, living with HIST1H1E.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks beat Oilers 5-4 in comeback to take Game 1
The Vancouver Canucks won the first game of their NHL playoffs series with the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 on Wednesday night coming back from a three-goal deficit.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.