Trinity Arthur, daughter of Lynnville residents Shannon and Miranda Arthur, is ready for spring to arrive so she can cruise the streets of Lynnville for the first time using her own manpower. Trinity, who was born with spina bifida and uses a wheelchair to get around, received a new adaptive bike valued at approximately $6,000 on Thursday, Mar. 24, thanks to a partnership between Variety, the Children’s Charity of Iowa, and Academy Roofing and Sheet Metal.
Trinity’s desire for a new bike dates back almost two years ago. Following a spinal fusion in June of 2020 at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in Minnesota, Trinity and her parents started dreaming about things she’d like to experience. The spinal fusion corrected Trinity’s spinal curve from 98 degrees to 78 degrees, making new experiences a reality. A new bike and the opportunity to ride by herself for the first time was at the top of the list. Due to the high cost of adaptive bikes, Trinity’s parents enlisted the help of various non-profit groups in Iowa to assist with the funding.
The 14-year-old’s application for a new bike was chosen by Variety, who enlisted the help of Academy Roofing and Sheet Metal, a contractor located in Des Moines, to provide the funds. After over a year of dreaming about a bike that would fit her needs, Trinity and her parents travelled to Academy’s Des Moines location on Thursday. There she was presented with the bike, an upright hand cycle model manufactured by Freedom Concepts. Freedom Concepts has been designing products for mobility, therapy, recreation, and fun since 1991. They specialize in creating customized and adjustable bikes and other products that are thoughtfully designed to accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities.
Arthur’s new pink bike requires her to use her arms to pedal and steer the bike while she is securely strapped in. The bike also has a pedal power assist that provides some extra assistance. Miranda said Trinity caught on to the bike’s mechanisms pretty quickly. “It’s a lot to learn to pedal and steer with your arms,” said Miranda. Trinity, just like she has done with every obstacle she has faced in life, took on the challenge of operating the bike head on and was able to show off her new skills with a big smile on her face in front of her parents and the owners of Academy Roofing and Sheet Metal.
Trinity wasn’t the only one with a smile on her face. Shannon and Miranda were beaming as well as feeling an extreme sense of appreciation. Although not surprised, they were blown away to see their daughter riding a bike of her own for the very first time. This isn’t the first time they’ve witnessed their strong daughter triumph over adversity and adapt. They’ve been right by Trinity’s side as she has endured 70-plus surgeries in her life, mostly pertaining to her spine. In 2015, Trinity underwent a surgery for placement of a Magec Growing Rod. The goal of the rod was to reduce the need for future surgeries. The rod did not work as planned and complications forced Trinity to spend many days in the hospital with additional surgeries required to fight infection and remove the rod. One year later, Trinity received a halo to help straighten her spine. She spent almost two months at Gillette during that time and had another rod surgically placed which “got her by another four years,” said Miranda. The 2020 spinal fusion surgery was the latest operation that has made an activity such as riding a bike a possibility.
Trinity Arthur is the proud owner of a new adaptive bike that will allow her to ride by herself for the first time. She is shown with her parents, Shannon and Miranda, who are flanking the Academy Roofing and Sheet Metal co-owners who provided funds for the adaptive bike.
“Trinity perseveres through any challenge she faces and usually amazes the doctors and nurses on how quickly she recovers and gets herself home!” said Miranda. Of the new bike experience, Miranda is quick to show her appreciation for the generous donors of the bike. “Academy Roofing has an amazing group of owners and staff that made this experience one to remember! They were all as excited about Trinity riding her bike as we were,” said Miranda.
With warm weather on the horizon, Miranda said her daughter looks forward to solo bike rides around their Lynnville home as well as riding with her family and friends for the very first time.
