Two youth athletes with special needs were surprised Wednesday with their own adaptive tricycles thanks to a partnership between Wasatch Adaptive Sports and The Hartford during a day out biking with family at Germania Park in Murray.
The bikes — for 13-year old Audrey Sterner and 21-year-old Michaela Bryner — were made possible with a $35,000 donation to the local nonprofit from the investment and insurance company based in Hartford, Connecticut, through its Ability Equipped program.
In addition to the bikes for Audrey and Bryner, the funds will enable Wasatch Adaptive Sports, a member of the Move United Network, to purchase two Nuke off-road recumbent handcycles along with accessories for its adaptive biking, skiing and snowboarding programs.
According to Wasatch Adaptive Sports, the purchases will further support the expansion of both programs and enable it to increase its reach and impact so that even more local youth and adults can experience the transformative power of recreation.
“It’s no secret that the cycling in Utah is some of the best in the country. The equipment that we’re able to purchase with this grant from The Hartford will help more local cyclists who need adaptive equipment access those opportunities and be part of the amazing cycling community along the Wasatch Front, Eileen May-West, Wasatch’s program director, said in a statement. “Our program is often a gateway to a more active life for individuals with adaptive needs, and this equipment helps strengthen that pathway.”
