5 Days of Caring: Supporting Anika’s Joy in Motion

Article - 5 Min Read

5 Days of Caring: Supporting Anika’s Joy in Motion

As part of Motion’s 5 Days of Caring, we were honoured to support Regina client Anika with an equipment donation focused on what brings her the greatest joy and independence – her adaptive bike.

Anika is a bright and determined little girl who is soon turning eight. She lives with Dandy Walker Syndrome, which impacts her mobility and lower-extremity movement. While she is non-verbal, Anika communicates effectively using a system on her iPad and shows her personality and preferences clearly to those around her. She is predominantly a wheelchair user and self-propels, and she also uses an R82 Meerkat stander. With trial equipment, she has been practicing with a Rifton dynamic pacer walker, and she is currently recovering from recent foot surgery, making her mobility needs even more complex.

But one piece of equipment stands out above all others for Anika – her loaned Freedom Concepts adaptive bicycle. The bike gave Anika a level of independence that few other devices could match. She pedalled confidently on her own, experiencing movement, freedom, and pure enjoyment. For Anika and her family, a bike isn’t just recreational – it’s her best form of independent mobility.

Anika has a strong, supportive family who work tirelessly to meet her growing needs. They have recently completed major accessibility renovations to their home through a Kinsmen Foundation grant, and with adaptive equipment demands increasing as Anika grows, additional third-party funding applications are not an option right now. There currently are no dedicated funding programs available for adaptive bikes in Saskatchewan, and continued access to the bike through a loan program cannot be guaranteed.

After discussions with Anika’s family, it was clear that if any equipment could be gifted or partially funded through 5 Days of Caring, the adaptive bike would make the greatest impact.

Through this donation, Motion is proud to work with Freedom Concepts to help Anika continue doing what she loves most: moving independently, building strength, and experiencing joy. Supporting clients like Anika and their families is at the heart of 5 Days of Caring, and we are grateful to be part of her journey.

This material does not constitute medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. Please consult a physician for specific treatment recommendations.