Published Thursday, April 22, 2010
Fundraiser this weekend to get $4,000 bicycle for 8-year-old
The Newnan Times-Herald
When the subject of Suzy Royal's bike comes up, the energetic 8-year-old responds with an enthusiastic thumbs up.
Friends from First United Methodist Church of Newnan are mounting a fundraiser this weekend to raise money for the $4,000 bike, which will be specially made for Suzy. Suzy has cerebral palsy and needs a bike with three wheels and a few other modifications to help her ride a bike while dealing with balance issues.
Suzy and her twin sister, Mimi, are the daughters of David and Beth Royal. They were born prematurely and spent several weeks in the hospital just after they were born. Today, both girls are active, enjoying playing with friends, finding bird feathers in the back yard and being involved in lots of activities at church and at Atkinson Elementary School.
While Mimi tends to be a bit on the quiet, reserved side, sister Suzy is ready to talk - especially about her bike.
"This bike is going to have streamers, a bell, everything - and my name on the seat," she said. Suzy also has a color scheme in mind - "one side orange and one side yellow."
Beth Royal explained the bike will have three wheels - sort of like a big tricycle -- and "a large seat rather than the typical banana." The bike is being prepared by a non-profit, My First Bike, and most of their models come equipped with a steering wheel.
"It's going to be fitted just for her," Mrs. Royal said. A representative from My First Bike will be coming to Smokey Road Middle School on Saturday to take measurements so Suzy's bicycle will be perfect.
First Methodist is sponsoring a bike parade - with children decorating their bike - at Smokey Road Middle on Saturday. "They're going to bring a demo bike for her to ride in the bike parade," Beth Royal said.
The Bike for Bikes fundraiser will be held at the middle school on Saturday. Registration for the bike parade is $5 and will take place following the start of the 10 a.m. 12-mile bike run to benefit the Akerfa Zambikes program.
Suzy's aquatic therapist, Lindsay Moon with Kool Kidz, told the Royals about My First Bike. Suzy takes aquatic therapy once a week at World's Gym in Peachtree City. Beth Royal said Moon is "much loved by Suzy."
Suzy noted she has reached a milestone at aquatic therapy now that she is able to swim the length of the pool without wearing floats.
"I've been really working on that, and I've become a pro," she said with a self-confident smile.
"Aquatic therapy seems more like fun than work, but it's excellent non-weight-bearing exercise," Beth Royal said. "One of Suzy's therapy goals is to be able to swim to safety and get out of a swimming pool. She has just recently met that goal and even surpassed it."
Mimi Royal got a bike a few months ago. The Royals visited a bike shop looking for something for Suzy, but found the only option - a modified adult bike - was not a good one.
Then Moon told them about My First Bike. The Royals applied and were accepted. Craig Bryan, youth counselor at First Methodist, heard about the project and got the church's youth involved.
My First Bike works to connect applicants with people who will help raise the approximately $4,000 for the special bikes. Steve Mitchell, a native of Baltimore who now lives in Colorado, has committed to running in June's Half-Ironman Triathlon in Lawrence, Kansas, to raise money for Suzy's bike.
Beth Royal noted local fundraising efforts are going well, so Mitchell's run may actually help buy a bike for someone else who needs one.
Suzy Royal is scheduled for surgery this summer - femoral derotation osteomies on both legs. The surgery, which will help straighten her legs, will take place at Shriner's Hospital in Greenville, S.C.
Once she gets the casts off, Suzy will be up and walking in just a couple of days.
"The bike will be great before and after," Beth Royal said.
So far, $1,960 has been raised. The best way to make donations is online at Suzy's page - http://www.myfirstbike.org/2009/01/hey-there-suzy-royal - on the My First Bike Web site.
Other local fundraising efforts are planned.
"There will also be a Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A on May 10 where 10 percent of the proceeds going toward Suzy's bike - when people mention her name," Beth Royal said. Reeves said youth from First Methodist will be handing out fliers about Suzy and her bike project at the Dwarf House that day.
The bike will give Suzy Royal lots of mobility - and fun. The bike should be useable for 5-6 years. Then she can "trade it in for an adult model," her mother said.
