Impacting the Community for Good

Getting a new bike is always a treat for a five-year-old. For Nolan Jordan, it’s life changing.

Nolan Jordan, 5, and his mother Jade Clouse try a Rifton trike.

Nolan and three other children received Rifton adaptive tricycles, thanks to VGM’s collaboration with Variety—the Children’s Charity, Rifton, International Biophysics Corp., the manufacturers of AffloVest, and EZ-ACCESS to donate gifts to six families who live near VGM’s corporate headquarters in Waterloo, Iowa. Two families received a high-frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) therapy vest and a modular ramp in the annual giveaway, now in its fourth consecutive year as part of VGM’s annual Heartland Conference. The adaptive bikes allow children freedom of independence while implementing physical therapy into their daily routine in a fun way. “Nolan loves showing it off to people, telling them ‘Has wheels! Has steering wheel!’ and making car noises,” said his mother, Jade Clouse. “ Having the straps for his feet has allowed him the independence of pedaling on his own and I’ve already noticed an increase in his ability to pedal on his own more. This activity allows his muscles to get big and strong and his stability while walking and running is improving as well.” The children who received the trikes range in ages from 5 to 11 and have varying special needs that prevent them from living independently. Janae Lee and the Ingersoll family received the modular ramp; Diane Loftus received the HFCWO therapy vest.

Diane Loftus received a high-frequency chest wall oscillation therapy vest at the annual VGM Heartland Conference.

“Every recipient will have a better life thanks to our friends at Rifton, AffloVest, EZ-ACCESS and Variety,” said Scott Owen, senior vice president of contracting for VGM. “Helping those in need live more independently is precisely what VGM, our partners and all industry stakeholders strive to achieve on a daily basis.” Variety—the Children’s Charity of Iowa administered the vetting process to select the recipients of the adaptive tricycles.

Tim Combs, Americans for Independent Living; Carla Ingersoll (mother); Janae Lee (seated); and Jim Greatorex, VGM Live at Home, who gives a thumbs up after installing a new ramp for Janae.

“Providing a therapeutic product that enhances a child’s independence is at the core of our company values,” said Joe Keiderling, executive vice president for Rifton Equipment. “These adaptive tricycles will allow the kids to enjoy the freedom that the outdoors provides as they play with friends and family this summer.”