By: Bret Sutton

The Nashville branch of the Pujols Family Foundation (PFF) recently sponsored its third Lose The Training Wheels Bike Camp, hosted by the Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee (DSAMT) and Lose the Training Wheels (LTTW). It was held from June 11th through the 15th at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, located just south of downtown Nashville.

This year’s camp was full, with 25 riders participating in five different sessions throughout the day. With more volunteers than ever (over 40 people) donating their time to helping campers learn to ride and encouraging them during the process, together we were able to impact the lives of each participant.

The goal of Lose The Training Wheels is to help teach individuals with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheeled bicycle in a span of five days with the help of volunteers and the LTTW staff. The last day of the camp brings a huge amount of excitement and emotion as many parents and volunteers get watch their kids reach their goal of riding a bike without training wheels.

For the first time at the Lose The Training Wheels camp, we were able to provide bicycles for campers who completed the week long camp, courtesy of Farmers Insurance employees. This allowed the participants to take what they learned with them to their neighborhood streets.

A big thanks goes to our amazing sponsors, Dragonfly Screen Graphics, Inc. for donating all printing services for camp t-shirts, and Dynamic Therapy Center in Lebanon, TN and Lily Wellington for donating snacks and drinks for the whole week. As usual, Westminster Presbyterian Church generously donated staff support and space for the camp.

Big thanks to everyone who continually helps the PFF impact lives throughout Middle Tennessee.