LEXINGTON, Ky. — Lexington third-graders pedaled toward inclusion and innovation.

What You Need To Know

  • A group of Fayette County students created an adaptive bike 

  • Rise STEM Academy for Girls partnered with nonprofit National AMBUCS on the project 

  • According to their website, there are 150 AMBUCS chapters across 30 states

The result of an inspiring collaboration between the Bluegrass chapter of nonprofit National AMBUCS and Fayette County Public Schools is in. It's led to an adaptive bike for Sophia Lanham. 

“Excited because we didn't know where the resources were to get the bike and everything like that," said her grandmother Georgietta Cunningham. "You just have to learn to ask the right person how to get it because she has been riding her tricycle since she was little and her knees are hitting the dash and everything like that." 

Lanham's mobility prevents her from using a standard bike, but her family was connected to Bluegrass AMBUCS.

“We meet with the physical therapists or the occupational therapists and we fit the child," said Ben Kesa, chapter president. "They typically will test ride some bikes at their therapy sessions to get the right sizing, and then the hardest part is the waiting for the parts to come in." 

According to AMBUCS, there are 150 chapters across 30 states with almost 4,000 members supporting its cause. 

For the first time, Bluegrass AMBUCS joined forces with a team of second- and third-graders at FCPS' Rise STEM Academy for Girls to customize Lanham's trike.

Mary Thomas Adams is one of two teachers whose students worked on the project. She said they were overjoyed to share their creativity and passion for others outside the classroom.

“They built some trash cans that can magnetize to the table so they don't have to get up out of their seat," Adams said. "We looked at the problems in our school first, and water bottles spilled all the time. It's just something that happens."

“Whenever she got onto the bike, I felt like I was about to cry because it's amazing how we are third-graders and how we're so small," said student Charlotte Peake. "And then it just feels amazing how we can help impact others." 

Although they create 50 to 60 tricycles a year, Kesa said it’s a new feeling each time.

"It is emotionally overwhelming every time, especially when you see a girl like Sophia who just wants to go out there and ride." “It's not something I'll ever get used to," Kesa said. "It is emotionally overwhelming every time, especially when you see a girl like Sophia who just wants to go out there and ride." 

Thanks to these third-graders' help, Lanham can now ride for good. 

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