KENTWOOD, Mich., — A teen with cerebral palsy is back riding his therapy bicycle after it was stolen from his front yard.
13-year-old Khristian Stephens was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a young age. The bicycle he was riding is a three wheeled bike to help Stephens keep his balance.
"When he turned 12 a year ago, I bought him a two wheel bike with training wheels and he had a hard time balancing it because of his cerebral palsy so I donated that bike to another child," said Ardith Payne, Stephen's Grandmother.
The family was referred to the American Business Club (AMBUCS) for the bicycle, a company that creates mobility and independence for people with disabilities. The group holds various fundraisers and accepts donations to help fund bicycles given to individuals who are unable to operate traditional bicycles.
"I got a call from Ardith that Khristian's bike had been stolen, and it just hit me. Probably because I delivered the bike and I thought so much of Khristian and had these great pictures of him. "I told Ardith I said hell or high water we're going to get him another bike" said Steve Davis from the Walker chapter of AMBUCS.
And that's exactly what happened. Davis and other volunteers delivered a brand new three-wheeled bike to Stephens.
"I cried," said Stephens father, Jeff Johnson. "Its just amazing that there are organizations out there that will help handicap children and people don't realize it until something severely happens."
"People will say it's such a great thing what we do for people like Khristian, but what Khristian does for us when we seem him on a bike, when we see him being 'normal', thats why were AMBUCS," said Davis.
The family contacted the Kentwood Police Department but had no luck. They say all they want is Stephens' bicycle to be returned so another child with special needs can enjoy the bike.
"Whoever took this bike, I don't want nothing but the bike back," said Johnson. "I'm not gonna press charges. Just bring the bike back to Khristian so he can enjoy his bike and this bike that he just got can be given to another child."
To make a donation to AMBUCS checks can be sent to P.O. Box 81, Marne, Michigan, 49435.
Connect with the Walker chaper of AMBUCS on Facebook.
