Kids & Family

Let's Help Scott Curtiss Win An 'Adaptive Bike'

Family of young Oak Lawn man with autism is trying to win an adaptive bicycle designed for riders with special needs and YOU CAN HELP.

The first time Mikey Curtiss watched her son, Scott, ride a bicycle, she cried tears of joy.

Scott is autistic, and there is nothing this Oak Lawn mom would love more than for her son, and other children with special needs, to have the same experiences that other kids have, like riding a bike.

Scott, 15,  has never been able to ride a traditional two-wheeler because he has no center of balance. His parents took him to an adaptive bike event offered by Advocate Christ Medical Center and Scott finally found a bike that he could ride.

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“The look of freedom and pure enjoyment on his face had me crying happy tears,” Mikey Curtiss said. “We didn’t realize how blessed we were growing up and being to ride our bikes and go out to to play without supervision and assistance.”

Mikey Curtiss has entered her son, Scott, in Friendship Circle’s “Great Bike Giveway,” a national contest that gives away adaptive bikes to children with special needs.

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Follow the link and click on Scott’s name to win a “mobo cruiser.” Scott is already eligible for the contest raffle, but if he can collect the most nominations, he automatically wins a mobo crusier. The deadline for voting is 11:50 a.m. Tuesday, March 25.

As of 1:04 a.m. March 24, Scott was in second place with 1,802 votes, but he can get a surge and garner more than 2,300 votes, he has a good chance of winning a bike outright. The cost of the “mobo cruiser” is $1,500.

Scott is a student in the autism program at Shepard High School in Palos Heights. He’s a star player for the Junior Jordans, the Oak Lawn Park District’s Special Olympics basketball team.

Mikey Curtis can’t say enough good things about Oak Lawn Park District’s special recreation programs, which have given Scott confidence and the opportunity to be a full-fledged member of the community.

To keep Scott engaged however, there are additional costs to participate in such special rec programs as basketball, swimming, bowling and summer camp and it adds up.

“I just want him to have some of the enjoyment we experienced since he does struggle with so many other everyday simple tasks,” his mom said on his nomination form. “We are so proud of him for his progress but always want him to keep pushing forward.”

Let’s give Scott a surge. Vote for him in Friendship Circle’s third annual “Great Bike Giveaway” by following the link.



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