Katie the Bike Rider!!!!! What in the world!!!!

A few posts down I wrote about how sometimes we just wish we could go on a family bike ride. Katie has tried different bikes before and she can ride it a few feet very slowly with pain and frusteration.

UNTIL TODAY!!!!

At therapy I was talking to her therapist about my desire to get a Madsen Bike and she said "oh, I bet Katie could ride a Rifton".

I was skeptical because the bikes we have tried in the past just frustrated us. So today when Katie sat on the Rifton and her therapist strapped her in and I saw her start to peddle.... and then keep peddling... by herself...

...and peddled more...

...until she peddled by herself around the entire building!!! My eyes could not believe what I was seeing!

I kept saying "WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW!!!"

We then took the bike outside and as she rode all around the play ground, I could not hold back the tears and just started to cry. I could not believe what I was witnessing!!

Katie was really riding a bike!

By herself.

I am crying again as I type this just thinking about it!!

That's it.

We need a Rifton in our life.

I wish I had my camera with me so I could share the joy. We are taking Bryant back this week to therapy to show him and I'll for sure bring my camera and Kleenex!

The Rifton is ordered!

One happy little gal!

Thanks to SO many of you the Rifton adaptive bicicle is now ordered for Katie. It takes about 4-6 weeks to arrive and then it's bike riding party time!

We actually ended up earning more than we needed and the extra will stay in her account and go towards more adaptive equipment in the near future. We have our eye on some higher quality leg braces (with springs) and one day hope to get her a better functioning wheelchair. Each donation that came in humbled me and made me so grateful for all the generous people out there. I wanted to just share a few experiences that happened during this fundraiser time.

First off there were a handful of friends that encouraged me to do this. Especially Nicole a college friend I have not talked to for years. She called me and said "You have to get Katie that bike and I am going to make sure it happens!" She rallied her family and emailed her friends as well as old college friends and shared Katie's story with so many. Nicole, I can't thank you enough!

When I put the pay pal button on my blog, one of the first donations that came in made me cry. It was from a special friend who I knew was going through one of the biggest trials in her life. To think that she would think of Katie at that time just brought the tears a streamin'.

The pay pal also brought in lots of donations from blog friends I have never even met, but they wanted to help katie! Thank you!

Another situation was when I ran into trader joes to grab a few groceries and saw two friends in there that both read the blog and heard about Katie's bike. I was picking out bananas and the next thing I knew they had written checks right then and there for katie's bike! Once again. tears!

You all like to make me cry!

As the week went on the mail brought with it donation checks. From family and good friends and church members that are so dear to us. Also strangers who we had no clue who they were! So amazing!!!

To the children who wrote cards and drew pictures, Katie LOVED those! Thank you!

Then we had the photography session fund raisers. The day was booked and everyone was so generous!!! Thanks you all! That was a lot of fun!

I thought we were pretty close to our goal when I went to deposit the donations into Katie's account. While at the bank the man in line behind me started asking me what all those checks were for. When I told him, he reached into his pocket grabbed a $50 dollar bill and said "just in case you don't have enough, here is $50!" What!!! I thanked him 10 times! When I got to the teller in deed that extra $50 put us almost to the dollar amount of what the bike cost! It was awesome!!

Last week when a friend heard we had achieved our goal, she still sent a check saying "well, she'll need a helmet and a new biking outfit!" So sweet!!!

Then today came and I still can't talk about it. I called Bryant and my mom bawling! A check came in the mail with a generous donation and a very special one page typed letter from another Spina Bifida family that we have never met. Her letter was so special and I will very much cherish it. Thank you!

To those of you who donated high fives and cheers and love, we love you too and thank you for your support that way!

How do I thank you all? I wish there was a way. I just want you all to know how much this means to our family and especially to Katie. She asks every day if her bike has arrived yet and is so anxious to go on a family bike ride. As are we. You all have made that dream a reality. Thank you!

Thank you!!

My Cup Runneth over

Here is a picture I have been wanting to see for a long time! Thank you for helping that picture become a reality!

THE RIFTON IS HERE!!! It arrived today (4-6 weeks nothin' it came in ONE) and man alive it's exciting! All plans were canceled tonight and replaced with bike riding!

Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bike. ~ John F. Kennedy

When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking. ~ Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Go Katie Go!

Next up Bike riding party.

Details coming soon! I hope you will come join us!

Bike Rides and Bucket Lists

We finally got our bikes all tuned up and ready to ride again just in time for the Summer! 

This weekend we took them on a test ride around the neighborhood and park.

(we took it easy as we learned that the next thing we need is new helmets for everyone! Every helmet we owned was too small for these growing kids)! 

One of our bikes is being borrowed, so Bryant used the razor scooter! 

Katie loving her Rifton Bike! Watching her ride this bike so well always brings tears to my eyes as I think about everyone who helped to purchase this bike a few years ago. So many people, even people we did not know, donated money to help us purchase this bike at a time that was hard for us to buy anything with a big adaptive price tag. This bike is a reminder of the love and generosity of so many!

Here is the bike ride planning girl. She has all sorts of Summer bike rides planned for our family. I love her enthusiasm! Note the shirt, she even dresses appropriately for the bike ride extravaganza! 

 

priceless. 

Spending the afternoon outside with amazing weather, got us super excited for the Summer Vacation, so we came inside and the girls made a "Summer Bucket List." A list of fun things they want to do this summer and when we do them they want to check them off the list. 

Here is the list: 

The Bay

Laguna

Tide Pools

Aquarium  

bike rides

Sprinklers on the trampoline

Vacations

play dates 

making bows with mom

art classes

scrapbook with sandy

go to clubs (??? What kind of clubs?)

make a present for someone

grandmas house
snow cones

kayaking on Grandmas kayak

show parents how much we love them (melt me)

rock climbing (umm...)
Pancake Breakfast party with friends

Make up a treasure hunt

ice skating 

make mom breakfast in bed (yes please)

make dad breakfast in bed (so cute)

organize our toys (yay) 

write in our journals 

get a swing

build a tree house (?) 

Make Orange Juice with the oranges from our tree

pick grapes from our grape vine

lazy river

go to the movie Brave 

Go visit Tyler and Lindsay in Norway (how fun would that be)! 

Camping

Go to China Town

More life rolls on events
make smores in our backyard fire thing 

Go see a show being filmed 

Farmers Market 

Only 11 more days until we can start checking off the list!!

A Bike For Katie

I can't even begin to tell you how humbled and blessed we feel to have such amazing friends. Last week when I blogged about Katie riding a bike for the first time I had so many of you contact me wanting to help raise funds to buy this bike. We really wanted to do a ride-a-thon and after talking to therapy it was just too tricky with liability issues. While trying to come up with another idea, I got a phone call from a long lost college friend. I was so surprised to hear her voice and when she said "I read your blog and want to help Katie get that bike" tears just came to my eyes! What a special phone call from a special friend. She got right to work and sent an email out to her friends and family. I was still trying to brain storm fund raising ideas and decided to just share this email (see below).

I am also doing photo shoots this Thursday night (at the Bolsa Chica wetlands) and this Saturday morning (at El Dorado Nature Center) to help earn funds for the bike as well (for more info please email me at sarahhullphotography@gmail.com or see photo blog). You set your own donation price and get the full CD of photos as well as 15 edited photos on CD.

Then when we earn enough money for the bike we thought we could have a big celebration party and invite everyone to come watch Katie ride her bike for the first time. We will host the event at a park and have yummy dessert to share as we cheer Katie on and give lots of hugs to those who helped make this bike a reality!

When my friend called me I expressed to her how awkward I felt trying to set up a fundraiser and how I was not sure if it was appropriate. She gave me the best pep talk and assured me that it was o.k. to do. However, it is still really uncomfortable to put my pride aside as ask for help for this bike. I sure am thankful for Bryant's good job and how well he provides for us, but it's all these darn extras that add up that make it a bit tough! We will take good care of this bike and when Katie grows out of it, will for sure pass it on to another child who can benefit from it.

Once again thank you for your love and thank you for your support.

~~~~

Katie Hull is a happy seven year old that is looking forward to starting second grade soon. She loves learning and won second place in her spelling bee last year. Katie is always up for new adventures and keeps a very positive "can do" attitude. Katie was born with Spina Bifida Myelomengocele and Hydrocephalus. A birth defect involving incomplete closure of the spine and in Katie's case resulted in partial paralysis from the waist down and full paralysis of her feet. In these past seven years Katie has continued to prove doctors wrong and fight against the odds. Katie uses the help of adaptive equipment including leg braces, walkers, crutches and a wheelchair to move around. Katie's younger sister recently learned how ride a bike and she has always cheered her on from her wheelchair with a smile in hopes to one day learn to ride a bike herself. This week at Katie's physical Therapy appointment her therapist put her on a new bike called a Rifton and off she went! As her mom watched in amazement tears streamed down her face as she finally found a bike that worked. An adaptive bike that Katie can ride around the neighborhood and park just like her little sister! However when the therapist told the family that insurance does not cover the price and when they learned how much it was they knew it would not be a reality at this time. Having a child with special needs can add financial stress on a family with all the extra equipment that is involved.

* Katie has an account in her name for donations on her behalf for adaptive equipment. Checks can be made out to Katherine Hull and sent to:

Bryant Hull

7400 Center Ave. Suite #210

Huntington Beach, CA 92647

or:

My friend just set up a paypal account for Katie's bike. See side bar. I'll have it up until Sunday.

Thanks again friends! Katie is so excited!!!

Katie Can Do Book Launch and the Power of a Village

On October 15th 2013 Katie had her "Katie Can Do... and You Can Too!" Official book launch. It was held at the El Dorado Golf Course in the big white tent. She was so excited for this day and could not wait to sign some books for family and friends. However, we had no idea the amount of people that would show up that night! 

We were blown away by the support from not only family and friends but teachers, new friends from her new school, friends from her old school, friends we have not seen in years, friends that drove hours and hours to come to this event! 

We were in tears the entire night as it was beyond special! Truly a night to remember for our Katie girl! 

Our Family in our Can Do "Create, Adapt, Inspire" shirts.

Katie had only been at her new Elementary school just over a month, and she had so many new friends there supporting her! It was so special! 

Friends from the Spina Bifida community and friends who understand life with "extras" but still smile so bright! We so appreciate the endless support from our Spina Bifida family! 

A HUGE thanks to Grandma Nancy who helped Katie to not only write and publish the book, but who helped to put on this amazing launch party! She worked so hard to help make this night so special for Katie and us. Thank you Mom/Grandma Nancy! We love you!!!

Before the Launch Party Katie was interviewed by Press Telagram Newspaper reporter, Josh Dulaney who later wrote the most amazing article found here

It was so special to see Katie's adaptive PE teacher, Dr. R who has believed in Katie since day one! She believes in her students and gives them amazing opportunities to thrive despite their disABILITY! 

The LINE went on and on! We could not believe it! Friends stood in line for over an hour waiting to have Katie sign their book! 

 
And this is typically the reaction they would get when they would come up to the table! Katie was SO excited to see so many friends and family members!!! 

Friends from Carver! These girls have been friends and supporters since Kindergarten! Such sweet girls! 

Katie and her idol and dear friend Jennifer Kumiyama. I just adore this picture and this friendship!

We had amazing friends who volunteered their time and talents and made dessert and helped at the dessert table! Here are some friends enjoying that dessert! 

My Brother Steve and his sweet family who came to support Katie wearing their Can Do T-Shirts! So sweet!

Katie's sweet friend Abby and her family who are such a dear friends and supporters of Katie. 

My friend Kelly and her darling family drove so far to come and support Katie! It was such a treat to see them as it has been YEARS since we have seen one another!!! 

A HUGE thank you to Julie from Pics By Presley for photographing the night (on her anniversary)! She and her dear family are huge Katie supporters and we are so thankful for them! 

Grandma Diane ordered a bunch of books and had Katie sign them! She and Grandpa Alan came from Redlands to spend the evening with us and were also a huge help at the event! We are so blessed by them! 

Two of Katie's very favorite teachers in the entire world! Mrs. Hall and Mrs. Ashcraft! Her fourth and second grade teachers! We adore them both! They both played a huge part in Katie's Can Do attitude! Such amazing teachers! 

Dear friends from Carver 

Sweet, sweet Great Grandma Joyce who stood in line to have Katie sign her book. We kept telling her we would come to her house or she could come to ours, but she wanted to stand in line and wait like everyone else! Oh how we adore our Grandma Joyce! 

Here I am attempting to give a little thank you speech about how it takes a village and how our village was all there that night and how much it meant to us to see so many supporters there. I am not really sure how I got through that little speech, because it was so emotional to look out and see that amazing village who have truly made such a difference in the life of our Katie. 

Mrs. Jarzomb. Katie's Kindergarten teacher who has loved and supported Katie since she was five years old! She is such a gift to so many. We sure love our Mrs. Jarzomb! 

Kim and her SIX children drove far to come and support Katie. I have not seen Kim in years and when I looked up and saw her and all of her beautiful children, I about lost it! What a special gift it was to see her again. She is a huge example to me and I am forever thankful for her friendship and support. A fun side note: She and her husband were the first people to babysit Katie when she was a newborn. We lived close to one another in Fullerton and they were our dear friends and they told us to go out on a date and they could watch Katie. I remember I wrote a page of instructions out for them and we were only going to be gone a short time! So funny! So thankful for Kim. 

Katie and her sweet friend GiGi who also drove far and came to support Katie! We are so thankful for Gigi and her sweet family.....

Jake and Bryant were good friends in high school. Recently they reconnected and we have developed a great friendship with their sweet family! It is special that both our oldest daughters use wheelchairs so we have a lot in common and connect on that level as well. So thankful for their friendship!

Nicole and her sweet littles! Nicole and I were friends at BYU-I and it has been years since I have seen her! Years ago when she found out that Katie would love to have the opportunity to ride an adaptive bike, called a Rifton, she gathered the troops together. Sent emails and collected funds and within a week Katie's adaptive bike was ordered! It was amazing and still so humbling to look back on. I will always cherish that experience. It was because of that experience that we decided to give a portion of the sales during the month of October (disAbility awareness month) to So Cal Trykers. A non profit organization that helps gift adaptive bikes to those who would benifit from them. We were thrilled that So Cal Trykers were also there that night giving the children who use wheelchairs that were there a chance to try out the bikes. We also thank those who came to the book launch and donated to So Cal Trykers as well. 

Sally and Goldie are always huge supporters of Katie! So thankful for the Harris family! 

The awesome Kline family! So blessed by their support! 

 

So thankful for dear friends and their endless support! These two warrior mothers are two of my greatest examples. So blessed by them!

Faith and Katie! Faith has one arm and Faith has a super CAN DO attitude!!! 

Katie and her sweet friend Luzi! 

Oh Tyler how we adore you and your family! So thankful for your support and love! 

Yay for So Cal Trykers! Make sure to visit their website for more info. if you would like to get involved in helping others to receive adaptive bikes. There are more ways to help if you can't send money, you could help put the bikes together as well. So many ways to help this awesome foundation! 

My brother Scott and his sweet family. So thankful for their endless support and love!

I love this SO much! Grandpa Randy giving Katie a hug! Grandpa's are so special! 

Katie signing away.
She signed and signed until her hand ached, but she still had a smile.
She says that was one of the best nights of her life.

Thank you to all who came and supported or sent your love! We felt it and appreciate it.

Thank you to everyone who made this night possible. We had so many dear friends who volunteered at the welcome and dessert tables and helped sell the books, we could not have done it without you!!!

To our amazing Village, We love you and We thank you!