For three Amarillo-area families, mobility took on new meaning this week as AMBUCS of Amarillo presented custom AMTrykes to three individuals during a heartfelt ceremony at the Amarillo Country Club.
The adaptive tricycles were gifted June 5 to Penelope Klein, 2, Kollyn Barclay, 3, and Jodie Johnson, 53 — each tailored to meet their unique physical needs and give them access to mobility and freedom that standard bikes could not provide.
Deanna Klein, whose daughter Penelope lives with spina bifida, said the AMTryke will allow her toddler to participate in everyday play with her siblings for the first time.
“She’s getting to the age where she doesn’t want to be a baby anymore,” Klein said. “Even though she can’t walk yet, this will help her keep up with my other children. It means the world to us.”
Penelope was born with an opening between her L4 and L5 vertebrae, which caused a loss of motor function and sensation below her knees. The custom-designed trike supports her posture and allows her to pedal using the strength she does have. On a traditional bike, she would be unable to balance or stop safely.
Barclay, who has a rare chromosome deletion that has caused a global developmental delay, also received an AMTryke. Her mother, Breenkley Barclay, said the trike will help Kollyn chase her cousins and play more independently.
“Kollyn can’t walk or run like the other kids, and sometimes it’s hard watching her sit out,” Barclay said. “Now she can join in the fun, and that means everything to us.”
Kollyn was visibly hesitant when first placed in the trike but quickly warmed up as she saw her family’s excitement. Her new AMTryke is designed to help build strength and coordination, encouraging long-term development through play.
The final recipient, Jodie Johnson, has lived in Amarillo for 25 years and was born with cerebral palsy. She received an AMTryke that now allows her to join her husband, Dean, on family rides — something that hadn’t been possible since his stroke several years ago.
“Dean and the kids used to go mountain biking, but after his stroke, we got him an AMTryke,” Johnson said. “I always felt left out watching them ride off without me. Now, for the first time, I can go with them. It’s a huge deal for me.”
Johnson explained that although her cerebral palsy is mild, the muscle tone in her legs and her balance issues make riding a regular bicycle impossible. “My leg turns in and hits the gear on a normal bike,” she said. “It always left bruises when I tried as a kid. This trike is a game-changer.”
Each AMTryke is custom-built in partnership with physical or occupational therapists, who assess the recipient’s size, strength, and mobility needs. These trikes not only improve quality of life, but also aid in physical therapy by targeting specific muscle groups and improving coordination.
“It feels great to be part of giving people access to movement and joy,” said Landon Brantley, president of AMBUCS of Amarillo. “These AMTrykes are designed specifically for each individual — not just for fun, but for real therapeutic benefit. That’s why we work so closely with therapists to make sure the fit is just right.”
In the past year, the Amarillo chapter has donated more than 40 AMTrykes to children and adults across the Panhandle. AMBUCS is a national nonprofit with more than 5,700 members across 135 chapters in 30 states, focused on promoting mobility and independence through service and innovation.
“Whether it’s a child trying to keep up with their siblings or an adult reconnecting with their family, these bikes make a real difference,” Brantley said.
The local chapter continues to seek community support through membership, donations and sponsorships, ensuring more families can benefit in the future.
For more information on AMBUCS of Amarillo or how to apply for an AMTryke, visit www.ambucs.org.bucs.org.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: AMBUCS donates trikes to three Texas Panhandle residents, uniting family
Reporting by Michael Cuviello, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
