PLEASANT PRAIRE, Wis. — Raising awareness about dementia has become Bernadette and Eric Russow’s life’s work. Bernadette Russow lost several relatives to the disease.
The pair opened the first memory cafe in Walworth County, launched the Dementia Friendly Community Initiative of Walworth County and started a chapter of Cycling Without Age.
Cycling Without Age was created in 2012 in Denmark by Ole Kassow. Kassow began offering bike rides to nursing home residents who were unable to ride by themselves on a trishaw.
A trishaw is a three-wheeled pedal-powdered bike.
“We go around to different facilities,” said Eric Russow. “Senior homes, nursing homes. We do about 25 to 30 places a month. Last year we did 2,866 rides.”
They said a bike ride can be life changing for those with dementia.
“The stories that come out of the mouths,” said Bernadette Russow. “It’s just wonderful. It’s wonderful to listen to.”
The Russows have trained hundreds of people across southeastern Wisconsin to become pilots. Recently, students at Harborside Academy in Kenosha, including Sara Wesner, went through the training program
“I have always helped with people with different disabilities,” said Wesner. “This is just one way for me to learn and help them. It’s pretty cool to see people smiling and excited.”
Staff from the Pleasant Prairie RecPlex and the Kenosha Achievement Center have also gone through the training. Sylvi Rhode said she’s looking forward to utilizing these bikes at the Kenosha Achievement Center.
“Have the wind blow through their hair, have the smiles on their faces,” said Rhode. “Just give them an experience they haven’t been able to experience in a very long time.”
To find the nearest Cycling Without Age chapter near you, click here.
