Why is it that we all lose our minds when there is even a hint of celebrity in our midst?

“Wow! They are filming a movie downtown. Let’s go and see if we can get an autograph!”

or

 “My cousin’s friend’s girlfriend’s Mom once met John Travolta at an airport when they were on their way to Orlando…..”

Admit it.  You do it too.  There is something about famous people and the lure of celebrity that brings out the superfan in all of us. 

And that’s why I couldn’t wait to call my husband this morning. When he picked up, I excitedly said to him, “Guess who just called?” Then I paused, for dramatic effect, and proudly announced that a property master from Brooklyn had called and ordered two sets of FATWHEELS for a TV show – a TV show!

Name Dropping

The series, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, is set in mid-century New York. The customer explained that he would be using the Adult FATWHEELS in an upcoming episode which features two actors riding 1950s style bicycles. He felt that FATWHEELS would allow the actors to be safe and ensure a smooth ride for filming.  He doubts you will see our equipment once the shots are edited but still…

I admit I hadn’t heard of the show before this morning.  I even embarrassed myself by asking the customer if it was a children’s program.  The title had me picturing puppets and silly songs – think Fraggle Rock or The Muppets.  However, after googling it, I learned that the series is an Amazon Prime original comedy created by Amy Sherman-Palladino  of Gilmore Girls. Furthermore, the show’s lead, Rachael Brosnahan , won the award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series at the Golden Globes this year.  How’s that for name dropping?

The Real Stars

As I closed my browser, I turned my attention to the other orders on my desk, and quickly realized that my admiration, although well-deserved, was a bit shallow.  Here in front of me were orders from therapists, doctors and school personnel who have given hours of their time and talent to enrich the lives of those with disabilities.  Amazing professionals from children’s hospitals like St. Jude’s and Shriners. Countless volunteers from organizations like Variety The Children’s Charity or AMBUCS that raise money to help purchase adaptive training wheels and other equipment  for needy children each year. Not to mention all of the ordinary Moms and Dads out there who are on call 24/7 with their children that have special needs.  Aren’t they the real stars?

I’m not discrediting all of the brilliant and hardworking people in the entertainment industry. I simply mean that there are countless unsung heroes out there working on the front lines each day who do not receive the recognition that they deserve.  Firemen, police officers, nurses, teachers, soldiers, caregivers, day care providers  and the list goes on.

These people spend a lifetime in faithful service and never walk The Red Carpet.  They don’t appear on late night talk shows or grace the cover of popular magazines and yet, they are the glue that holds our society together.

So, to all of the unknown heroes out there I salute you!  I wish I could give each one of you a special award for the work that you do. After that I’d take a selfie with you, post it on social media and, of course, brag about you to all of my friends!

Until next time,

Colleen

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one-third of adults over sixty-five fall each year. Most are not seriously injured, but broken bones and head injuries from falls land about 700,000 people in hospitals each year, the CDC says.

Tiffany Shubert, a physical therapist who is also a research scientist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill confirms this statistic and is quoted as saying “And once people fall or become noticeably unsteady, “fear of falling” itself becomes a problem. “People start to limit their activity because they are afraid, they might fall. That can have a huge impact on quality of life. “You are afraid to walk up and down stairs, so all of a sudden you can’t go to the movie theater anymore.”

The key is to be thinking about balance before you ever have a fall.

To give us some information about balance, we turn to Peter Wayne, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Peter maintains that balance is not just a matter of how well the vestibular system of the inner ear is working. Declines in strength, flexibility, vision, touch, and mental functioning can all contribute to balance problems. “Balance is a very complicated process,” he says. But improving it can be simple. Here are a few tips:

• Practice standing on one foot, challenging yourself to increase the duration. You can do it online at the grocery store or while brushing your teeth. If that is too difficult at first, start by using a chair back or bathroom counter for support. If it is easy, try raising your foot higher or holding it out to the side. For extra challenge, try standing on a throw pillow or closing your eyes.

• Try heel-to-toe walking, as if on a balance beam.

• Practice getting in and out of a chair without using your hands.

• Exercise while standing on a wobble board or Bosu ball (an inflated rubber disc on a stable platform).

• Try tai chi or yoga. The evidence that tai chi can improve balance is especially strong, and studies show it is quite safe for people of all ages and fitness levels. In a typical class, a series of movements is performed in a slow, graceful flow, accompanied by meditative deep breathing.

If you are an older adult that likes cycling, you may also want to consider adaptive cycling by outfitting a bike with a set of wheel stabilizers like FATWHEELS. These heavy duty “training wheels” retrofit to almost any bike on the market and they will provide you with the stability you need to enjoy the FUN, FREEDOM & HEALTH benefits of riding a bike despite any challenges that you may have with your balance.

And remember what Albert Einstein said; “Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance you must keep moving!”

Until next time,

Colleen

When choosing a safe bicycle for your child consider the following points:

Look for a bike that is simple, safe, sturdy, and durable. Most children do not appreciate or use gear, hand brakes, and other safety features until age 9.

• Consult experts who can help choose a bike children can control but will not outgrow quickly. Children may lose control and be injured on a bicycle that is the wrong size.

• Buy training wheels that are made with strong steel and thick rubber NOT thin metal and plastic.

• Make sure fender edges are rolled over or coated to avoid cutting legs and fingers.

• Choose a bike with a chain guard and avoid wearing loose pant legs when riding.

• Choose a bike with knobby grippy pedals to keep feet safe.

Until next time,

Colleen

Recently, I received the following question from a board-certified physical therapist:

Hello,

I am a pediatric physical therapist. I am so excited to find your website and products!

Most of my patients need a special needs adaptive tricycle, but I am working with a 10-year-old child who may be ready to transition from an adaptive tricycle to a traditional bike with a few adaptations (your training wheels look perfect!). He currently uses pedal straps, and his adaptive tricycle has a seat belt. I’m interested in your pedal strap adaptation; however, I am wondering if it is safe to have pedal straps without a seat belt?

I have been taught by fellow PTs that if you have the feet strapped in, then you need a seat belt for safety. This is in case the user was to fall off the bike, but the feet stayed strapped in, putting them at risk for a knee or ankle injury since the legs wouldn’t come off of the bike with the rest of the body. Do you sell any adaptive seat belts? Do you have any thoughts on this issue? I would love to hear more about this, as I do not specialize in higher level bike adaptations. Thank you so much in advance!

What a great question! Here is my response:

Thanks so much for reaching out to me and for your patience in awaiting my response….

The question you raise is a very valid one.  The pedals that we sell should NEVER be bound to the rider’s feet too tightly.  The straps are adjustable and should be left slack so that the rider can disengage their feet in the event of a fall.  Failing to do so, can cause unnecessary harm to the rider.  We include this instruction with every set of FATWHEELS pedals that we ship out.

The straps allow the rider to keep the pedals moving as they elevate their leg during the pedal upstroke (hip flexion), instead of having to rely solely on pushing your foot down (hip/knee extension).  This makes for a more efficient pedaling motion and helps individuals with things like motor planning and combating low muscle tone.

The pedals are also self-leveling which means they’re counter-balanced to ensure they always rest in the right position for the rider to place their feet on them.  This helps them easily “find” & engage the pedal with their feet. 

We do not sell seat belts.  If the rider requires that level of support, they are most likely not a good candidate for our products.

I hope this answers your question – if you need any further information please do not hesitate to reach out – I am happy to assist!

Until next time,

Colleen

Recently, an interesting article was published in the American Therapeutic Recreation Association’s (ATRA) March, 2024 newsletter about the benefits cycling for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Here is some of what researchers, (Cameron Sterling, Christopher Peck, Caroline Cowan, Karsten Crumpler, John Avery Chapman, and Dr. Paige Dagenhard-Trainer), had to say:

Brain Activity

A study conducted on children ranging from ages 7 -14 with an ADHD diagnosis found that after just one bike ride, the observed children portrayed less impulsivity and hyperactivity (Marcks,2020). Individuals with ADHD may suffer from irritability and fluctuating moods; biking has also been proven to decrease these emotions through its positive effect on mood. The act of cycling naturally increases heart rate which in return, allows blood to be pumped throughout the body much faster than when the body is at rest. Endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine are then circulated throughout the body at a more rapid speed. This faster pace action has a quicker effect on brain stimulation, energy, and mood. (Marcks, 2020).

Sleep

Alongside heightened brain activity, it is recommended that individuals with ADHD maintain a consistent and healthy sleep schedule. Having consistent sleep can improve attention, focus, and energy. Biking can help coordinate the body’s circadian rhythm which in return regulates the body’s response to awareness and sleep (Mens Line, Australia, 2022). Through biking, stress hormones that can negatively impact sleep are reduced which promotes better quality sleep (Kirszenblat, Swinderen, et al., 2015). Biking can also stimulate protein production within the body. Proteins serve the brain by supporting new brain cell production. The higher the cell production, the better the different regions of the brain work together (Mens Line Australia,2022). When the brain is stimulated in a healthy fashion, ADHD symptoms such as attention, focus, and energy can significantly increase.

Socialization

Where individuals with ADHD may lack socialization, biking can encourage friendships and communication. Biking can be done independently, but it can also be done with others, thus making it a social experience. Competitive biking is very popular in the United States, giving all individuals with interest an opportunity to compete. In the US, there are more than 3,000 cycling events per year. These include both competitive and non-competitive events. It is important that individuals with ADHD find extra-curricular activities to participate in. ADHD can also cause problems maintaining interest in certain activities. Thus, it is important that individuals find hobbies they are passionate about. Cycling is a broad activity that can be modified or adapted in many ways, making it suitable for individuals with different limitations. Its inclusive and wide-ranging potential allows for many individuals to take interest (USA Cycling, 2022).

While this article was written specifically to address the reduction of symptoms of ADHD, the same benefits apply to ALL who cycle. Fresh air and biking are medicine for the mind, body and soul. That is why we, at FATWHEELS, strive to make sure that, with a little bit of help, EVERYBODY can ride!

Until next time,

Colleen