sailing!

The biggest change since Dave saw Belac 10 weeks ago, is that Belac switched from riding a 3 wheel scooter to a 2 wheel scooter, then suddenly learned how to ride a bicycle without training wheels after years of trying. Since not even 2 weeks ago, Belac has been riding his bike everyday on the driveway. Last week end, we went on a 7 mile bike ride as a family. This week end, we went on - at his insistence - our usual 13 mile loop. He was so proud to be off his well-worn tag-a-long wheel!

My husband and I took turns trailing each of our boys on the North County Trailway. Every now and then, following Belac, I prompted him to keep right. Now and then I pointed out there was a crowd ahead or someone passing. But overall I was very impressed that he pedaled continuously and that he was keeping flow. He managed bumps and hills and remained alert enough with his surroundings. On your left! he'd call out as he passed walkers while ringing his bell. Every now and then he lost and caught his balance. Every now and then he pointed out something to me. When a butterfly whished past us, Belac told me: some people think when you see a butterfly you can make a wish. We saw 2 butterflies during our ride and I made 2 wishes.

We had been going on family bike rides for years with Belac riding behind my husband. He pedaled but often coasted, barely getting any exercise. Plus, he couldn't see anything straight ahead except for my husband's back. I started thinking Belac would never ride on his own, that he was too comfortable with the tag-a-long and not at all understanding what he was missing. He was now 8 and it seemed everyone his age had learned to ride years ago. We broke our backs endlessly trying with him, running behind him and egging him on. Even looked into a University of Michigan program that helps kids with disabilities learn how to ride! So when Jake ran into the house to yell that Belac was riding his bike, that other night, I really had to run out and see for myself because I otherwise could not in a million years believe it. 

It's amazing that Belac's now riding and that we have these kinds of trips to look forward to as he gets stronger. But that's not the only thing that has recently changed. In the last 2 mile sprint uphill, today, I raced against Jake and he beat me!