There’s nothing quite like feeling a warm ray of sunlight draping itself across your shoulders like a blanket, or the sensation of a gentle breeze ruffling your hair on a clear summer day.
Our team at GlenFields Living with Care agrees. That’s why when the opportunity to apply for a trishaw bike grant presented itself, we jumped at the opportunity. Half of the cost of the bike was covered by the grant, and the other half was generously paid for by the Glencoe Regional Health Medical Staff.
The trishaw bike allows two residents to sit in a cushioned passenger seat at the front of the bike, while the trishaw’s “pilot” operates the bike. The bike includes an electric-assist motor that is controlled by the pilot, to allow for a smoother, supportive ride.
“The trishaw bike gives the residents an opportunity to just be outside in a different way than if you were walking on the path, sitting on your patio, or even driving in a car,” said Julie Schmidt, Vice President Senior Services. “Plus, it gives them the chance to do something that they might have done in their past.”
The residents have not only enjoyed biking around Prairie Trail, our walking path at GRH, but have also taken the bike to drive past their former homes, to see their churches, visit the cemetery, stop at the park, and enjoy treats from Dairy Queen.
The bike gives our residents with limited mobility an opportunity to feel even more like a part of our community.
“It’s amazing that our residents get to experience the outdoors in such a unique way while exploring their community – seeing kids playing at the park, construction taking place around town, people walking their dogs. All of those things that many of us take for granted, but truly make a community feel like home,” said Denise Lemke, Volunteer & Marketing Events Coordinator.
Sam Baumann, GlenFields Life Enrichment Coordinator, typically goes for 2 – 3 bike rides a day with the residents. Most bike rides last between 15 – 30 minutes, and the most frequent comments she hears from residents are: “It feels amazing to be on a bike again,” and “I love the feeling of the wind in my hair.”
“My favorite part of this program is seeing the residents smile,” said Sam. “Seeing their eyes light up while driving past a place from their past, and hearing the joy in their voice while sharing memories makes the bike rides truly special. I’m excited to continue growing this program with longer bike rides and by exploring different areas of town.”
Not only have the residents enjoyed being outdoors and seeing new or familiar places, they’ve enjoyed the opportunity to share favorite memories and stories with their fellow residents and the bike pilot.
“The bike opens a space for closer relationship-building,” said Julie. “The residents have so many stories to share, and this bike provides an opening for that conversation – long bike rides around the path, feeling the wind in their hair, getting to revisit sites from their childhood or old neighborhoods – it keeps the stories going.”
Interested in getting involved?
While winter is nearly here and our biking season has come to a close, we’re looking for individuals interested in volunteering to pilot the bike next spring!
Each new pilot is required to go through a general volunteer orientation, as well as a bike training session for taking passengers out on a ride. Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older to become a pilot.
To sign up, contact Denise by calling 320-864-7703 or email her at [email protected]. All interested individuals will be put on a list for training sessions to be held in early spring 2023.
