Bike Camp

I think we all have memories about the day we learned how to ride a bike. The day our parents let go of the back of the bike and we did it on our own! It’s a wonderful sense of accomplishment that every child, every person should be so lucky to experience. According to a study done by the University of Michigan only 10-12% of individuals with Down syndrome learn to ride a bike.  This summer the DSAF set out to beat those percentages and teach individuals with Down syndrome to ride with a bike camp funded by St. Mark's Lincoln Outreach Foundation and staffed by Handprints and Footsteps.

 

In this two week camp the children learned how to ride a bike step by step using an innovative strategy lead by therapists and volunteers. Starting with no pedals and working on balance they worked towards riding on their own. The participants worked hard and in a gymnasium full of smiles, cheers and goose bumps they learned to ride! I can tell you from personal experience the smiles and cheers were not just from the new bike riders but also from the volunteers, the therapists, parents, and siblings. The sense of accomplishment was felt by everyone there and it was sincerely heartwarming. Even those that weren’t going 100% on their own made huge strides to developing this new skill.

 

At the camp several children with Down syndrome proved once again that they can do anything anyone else can do! Sometimes it takes a bit longer and sometimes they need a little extra help but given the chance they CAN and they WILL!

 

Thank you to everyone that helped make this happen and congratulations to all our new riders! 

Lori Tackett

Program Director

 

JEO Golf Tournament

It was a hot day but the turnout was good for the JEO Golf Tournament to benefit the DSAF of Nebraska at Woodland Hills golf course near Eagle.  The day of golf was followed by a delicious dinner and some great door prizes, an auction, pin prizes, and a kids putting contest.  The kids from the DSAF really enjoyed getting out there with the other golfers and hitting a few balls and riding around in the carts. 

This is the sixth annual golf tourney that JEO has hosted and they employees donate their time. All of the work that went into making the golf tournament happen was done on the employees own time. They put in a lot of time and effort to make this a success! 

Many local companies sponsored golf tournament with all proceeds going to DSAF  

There were many opportunities for people to win prizes on the course by making a hole in one – prizes included a trip and a CAR.   Sadly no one made a hole in one…but there is always next year.

We would like to thank JEO Consulting Group for choosing our organization to benefit from the proceeds of this fun day.

Here are a few pictures from the event.

 Ethan getting ready to putt

 Getting a ride in the golf cart.

 Anthony Barrett in action.

Caroline and Grant enjoyed riding in the cart too.

 DEan and Elissa at the Children's Putting Challenge.

 

 Ben enjoyed playing with the clubs.

 Kira helped pull names for Jeff Ahl from JEO the door prizes

 The Neal's enjoyed some golf.  Kelly won longest put on one of the holes.  Yeah Kelly!

 

 The sign as you entered the clubhouse.

 

 Bubba chillin in the clubhouse.

 Deb telling the golfers about the DSAF and thanking them for their support.