Willow gets her wheels

Golden K Kiwanis donates adaptive tricycle to little girl in need

Willow Turley struggled to push the pedal with her right leg. Each time it reached the bottom of its orbit, Willow couldn’t quite complete the circuit. The tricycle rocked back and forth, but she just couldn’t keep the momentum. To some, this might sound frustrating, but the only thing emotion evident on Willow’s face was a huge smile of joy.

Willow was gifted a tricycle by the Golden K Kiwanis Club at its March 14 meeting, but this isn’t just any tricycle, and Willow isn’t just any girl.

Willow Turley tries out her new adaptive tricycle with the aid of her nurse, Nichole Coomer, and grandmother Sonja Turley.

In just 8½ years, Willow has endured more challenges than most people will ever have to experience, She was born at 34 weeks. She suffered developmental delays and seizures, and eventually doctors diagnosed her with Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy.

What followed was a lifetime of physical therapy to address the movement and control of her legs. Willow must use adaptive equipment such as walkers, crutches, or a wheelchair for mobility. And in 2019 she underwent a spinal surgery known as a Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy in order to improve her muscle tone.

Because of these challenges and hip dysplasia, which affects her mobility even more, Willow has trouble getting around. In fact, her development began to regress in recent months. But her grandmother, Sonja Turley, wasn’t willing to sit back and watch as Willow’s condition worsened.

“I remembered that after the surgery, she rode an adaptive trike in the hospital and loved it,” said Turley. “So, I began researching different companies and the cost of them. I found out quickly that the family could not afford this, so, I began soliciting different local clubs.”

The Golden K Kiwanis Club responded to Turley’s plea. The club, which has met since 1986, has a special focus on aiding children, according to club member Dick Harrison. The club used a portion of their annual service project budget to purchase the custom-made adaptive tricycle from Rifton Equipment of New York.

“Our annual service project budget, which is all for children, is over $15,000 a year,” said Harrison. “Of that, we give Riley Children’s Hospital almost $6,000. We give another $6,000 in scholarships for high school seniors.”

The remainder is used for projects such as Willow’s tricycle.

Willow’s family congratulates her on her gift from the Golden K Kiwanis Club.

It took four to five months to get the deal put together, but the tricycle finally arrived. The Kiwanis Club invited Willow and her family to their March 14 meeting and surprised the young girl with the vehicle. As the tricycle was rolled into the room, Willow’s face flushed, and her mouth gaped in awe. And then she smiled, bringing sounds of approval from the club members.

“On behalf of the Golden K Kiwanis Club, we present this bike to you,” said Harrison as Willow was helped into the driver’s seat. “This is your very own bike. We hope that you get a lift in your mobility and can ride with your sisters and friends, just like you want.”

The Kiwanis Club didn’t stop there. They gifted a custom-made t-shirt to Willow in her favorite color (pink), with her name across the front, and a picture of a bicycle on it. She also got a hot pink bicycle lock and a purple bicycle helmet.

Willow also received a custom t-shirt with her name on it from the club.

Turley was “overwhelmed and so thankful for” the club’s generosity.

“They are truly appreciated, and we, the family of Willow, will never forget what they have done,” said Turley. “This trike is meant to last for about 5 years, as it can adapt as she grows. We are hoping this will really promote her to getting back to where she was.”

Turley added that Willow will undergoing more surgery in the near future, and the tricycle will be an important therapeutic tool in her recovery. More than anything, it allows Willow to experience the joy of riding her trike with friends and family.

“(She will) feel more included with her little sister and little brother who love to ride bikes,” said Turley. “One of her dreams is to have a bike of her own and be able to ride with them and ride with her friends.  Hopefully, this dream is going to come true.”