Driving to the airport while “Life is a Highway” played on the radio and tears streamed down her face, Mandie Aadland, mother of senior Addie Aadland, reflected on her week at iCan Bike camp with a rider and his family. Mandie said this rider got on his bike and took off, equating himself to the main character of the Disney movie “Cars.”
“He was pretty nonverbal and didn’t share much else other than ‘I Lightning, I Lightning McQueen!’ and ‘Kapow! Kapow!’” Mandie said.
Toward the end of the week, Mandie said she noticed a man peeking through the window she hadn’t seen before. She said she walked over to him and found out he was Lightning McQueen’s father.
“Tears are literally streaming down his cheeks, and he said, ‘He’s nine years old, and I’ve never seen him light up like that. I have never seen that pure joy in my son,’” Mandie said. “I will never, ever forget the layers of that experience with that little boy and that dad and how it impacted him.”
iCan Bike camp, a part of the iCan Shine charitable nonprofit organization, aims to teach individuals with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheel bicycle and become lifelong independent riders, according to the iCan Shine website.
Senior Addie Aadland and BVNW alumnus Lauren Holmes are the returning volunteer co-hosts of the Overland Park iCan Bike camp. Aadland said she became passionate about this camp growing up with a sister with Down syndrome.
“People assume people with special needs can’t ride a bike, but they all can do everything that we can,” Aadland said.
Senior Brock Heath volunteered at iCan Bike camp last summer and said the experience was very rewarding. Heath said there is a lot to learn from people with disabilities.
“There’s kind of a predisposed notion that people with disabilities aren’t able to do some things,” Heath said. “Watching them accomplish this, like they can do whatever they want, was awesome to see.”
During the camp’s break due to COVID-19, Mandie said she forgot how great iCan Bike camp is. She said the goodness extends to not only the riders, but the volunteers, families and community as well.
“Last year, I was just struck again by the pure joy that I felt deep, deep in my soul because everything about it (camp) is happy,” Mandie said. “If people come and just show up, there’s at least a guaranteed 2-5 goosebump moments per day per session, so it’s just magical.”
Mandie said the community rallies together and supports bike camp, with iCan Shine employees telling her they notice a difference in the Overland Park camp environment compared to other locations. She said volunteers come back because they want to be a part of the goodness, and even people who couldn’t volunteer in past years aim to now.
“There [are] kids my son’s age (15) itching to be a part of it because they’ve been able to see it, but they haven’t been officially able to be a volunteer,” Mandie said. “We have about 100 people, give or take, show up throughout the course of the week, and I guarantee you, it has changed people’s lives in ways that they never even imagined.”
Holmes said she has always been drawn to the special-needs community and has friends who have participated in bike camp themselves. She said bike camp is a special community to be a part of.
“I think it’s good for community members who are neurotypical to be around people with disabilities or differences,” Holmes said. “They have a lot to teach us, and we have a lot to learn from them.”
Heath said viewing his rider’s success at the end of the week was his favorite part of camp.
“The most enjoyable part of camp was finally seeing Sam ride his bike on the very last day, seeing the big old grin that he had on his face while he was doing it all on his own,” Heath said. “We took selfies all the time. He’s truly a friend.”
Although he said he enjoyed the camp, Heath said being a volunteer came with emotional challenges.
“Learning how to ride a bike was very frustrating, and for people with disabilities, it can be even more frustrating,” Heath said. “There are times when you have to kind of let them fail. That was hard, having to watch them mess up.”
Even though it can be hard watching riders fail, Holmes said their success at the end of the week makes it worth it.
“Bike camp is a really empowering opportunity for the riders, “ Holmes said. “Everybody deserves to feel proud of themselves and supported and learn a skill that’s kind of often viewed as like a rite of passage in life.”
Holmes said the most rewarding part for her is seeing the joy on riders’ faces when they can finally ride a bike.
“A lot of them surprise themselves, and they feel a really special sense of pride and accomplishment whenever they get to riding their bike in whatever capacity that might be,” Holmes said. “Their confidence starts to soar.”
While she used to think bike camp was only important for the riders, Mandie said she learned it is bigger than that. She said iCan Bike camp benefits volunteers in every way possible.
“I have so many stories of having conversations with different volunteers and how it’s impacted their life, or their relationships,” Mandie said. “I think perspective, empathy and awareness are so much of what volunteers get from being a part of the camp.”
Similarly, Aadland said spending time at bike camp brings new perspectives to volunteers. She said learning lessons from people with disabilities is impactful.
“Everyone’s success looks a little bit different, and that’s OK,” Aadland said. “That’s something I’ll take away for myself, too. I learned that from these kids, which I think is really special.”
Aadland said this camp helps volunteers determine what’s important in life. Witnessing the smiles on the riders’ faces at the end-of-camp ceremony, Aadland said she will never forget how this camp changes lives.
“We all [think] riding a bike is an everyday thing, but for these kids, it’s so much more than that,” Aadland said. “You’re allowing them to be able to do that, and that should make you feel really good.”
Heath said he recommends people volunteer for iCan Bike camp.
“If you have the time to do it, do it,” Heath said. “It’s very, very rewarding.”
Similarly, Holmes encouraged people to experience the joy of iCan Bike camp firsthand.
“I’m very biased, but it’ll change you forever,” Holmes said. “I think more people need to check it out and see what it’s about and feel that for themselves.”
Giving advice to future volunteers, Aadland said to be confident and have fun.
“They (the rider) will truly become a friend by the end of the week,” Aadland said. “The bond you guys will create will truly be something special.”
This year, the Overland Park iCan Bike camp will take place June 2-6 at the Blue Valley Recreation Center at Hilltop. To register to volunteer, fill out this Google Form by May 7. You must be 15 years old and no prior experience is necessary. If you have questions, visit the iCan Shine website or email [email protected].
