The Ultimate Benefit: the story of
"Lose the Training Wheels"

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Welcome to everyone who is new to The Hero's Voice, our way of using the metaphor of our strategic brand process, The Hero's Quest, to explore how organizations can do more for their members or customers and stand out from the crowd.

One of the key concepts of the Hero's Quest is defining your Ultimate Benefit. What is it that you do exceptionally well? What benefit do you provide your Metropolis by using your special powers to save them from the Forces of Evil? Recently, Ann Donaca-Sullivan shared a story with us that illustrates this concept beautifully. Here's her story, and the story of a program called Lose the Traning Wheels:

For the past five years, my son, Cody, has attempted to ride a bicycle on his own. Unfortunately, no matter how much effort has been put into it, by all involved, the skill hasn't been close to mastered! Now he is a big eleven year old boy with Down syndrome and weighs over one hundred pounds.It is painful to see him watch other typical developing children ride their bikes around the neighborhood while he is "stuck" on a trailer bike.

Hope arrived when Lose the Training Wheels Bike Clinic agreed to travel west to Portland, Oregon (www.losetrainingwheelspdx.blogspot.Com/). The goal of the clinic is to enable children with disabilities who have a history of difficulty learning how to ride a conventional bicycle, to do so following the research of balance.

Dr. Richard Klein has modified bikes which train children to ride traditional two-wheelers in a safe and successful way. These bicycles will be transported to Portland for our sessions. The past clinics have been successful with eight out of ten children learning to ride a two-wheeler in one week's time.

It is important for the spirit of community and for furthering the belief of inclusion, that this camp is held and our children learn how to ride traditional bicycles. Approximately sixty children with disabilities will participate in the clinics. Volunteers from all realms of life and numerous individuals and businesses will work together to create this victory.

The gift of learning to ride a bicycle is a memory one never forgets. Without this opportunity of the Lose the Training Wheels Bike Clinic, many of these children would not be given this memory or the life long skill of riding a bicycle.

When Ann first saw an article about Lose the Training Wheels in a magazine, she searched the net for their information. After unsuccessful attempts at finding a clinic near Portland, she decided they needed to come to Portland. Along with a friend, Patty Verzani, they decided to book the company and worry about how to pay for it later. Last year, they had approximately 30 children in the program, 45+ volunteers, raised all of the funds, organized the specifics, etc. As Ann says, "The results were breath taking..."

This year, since the demand is so high, they are holding two clinics in Portland. After one month of opening the registration, they were both filled....with a waiting list. Ann is still receiving e-mails from hopeful parents daily.

When you understand the needs of your Metropolis and choose to use your special powers on their behalf, the Ultimate Benefit you provide can be breathtaking. We applaud both the program and two women's determination to make a difference in the lives of some very special kids!

If you have a story to share, we'd love to hear it. Just click on the "Share Your Story" link at the top of this page.

Lisa and the Creative Abandon team

JUNE 15, 2007 | ISSUE NO. 021

The Ultimate Benefit: the story of "Lose the Training Wheels"

The Ultimate Benefit: the story of
"Lose the Training Wheels"