Salinas Valley Health Presents Custom Built Bike to Special Needs Boy

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843

For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Claudia Otero 831-759-1825

Salinas Valley Health Presents Custom Built Bike to Special Needs Boy

SALINAS, CA, MAY 15, 2017- Despite his physical challenges, Caiden Williams is a sweet, happy, inquisitive 5 year-old- boy from Monterey. He was born premature and diagnosed with Hydrocephalus (fluid in the brain) and spastic quadriplegia, a subset of spastic cerebral palsy that severely affects the muscles in his arms and legs. As a result, Caiden’s muscles continually contract preventing him from doing the normal things other children his age are able to do.

Bobby Williams is raising Caiden as a single father. Recently Williams requested financial assistance from Salinas Valley Health Children’s Miracle Network for a custom built adaptive bike for his son. The bike would help Caiden improve his motor skills and help strengthen his muscles. The Salinas Valley Health Foundation provided half of the funding and recently Caiden was presented with his brand new bike. The rest of the funds for the bicycle were provided by Variety the Children’s Charity of Northern California.

“We’re grateful to be receiving this bike,” says Bobby Williams Caiden’s father. “This severe condition causes stiffness or tightness of the muscles in my son’s arms and legs. The bike is a necessity. It will allow Caiden to move his entire body as he continues to grow and he’ll have fun riding it, something other children his age are already experiencing.”

“Seeing the smile on Caiden’s face when he first saw his bike was incredibly moving,” says Melissa Gross, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Program Manager. “We are able to provide these necessities to children like Caiden thanks to the support we receive from our generous donors and partners. Caiden is now on his way to better mobility and we are happy to be a part of his long term treatment.”

After being presented with the bicycle at Salinas Valley Health Medical Center, Caiden went for a short bike ride on the sidewalk in front of the hospital’s main entrance. He did have a little help from his dad, who pushed the bicycle. Though it will take some time for Caiden to learn how to properly ride his bike, his dad says he’s looking forward to seeing his son go for bike rides after school. He says, “It will be a fun way to get him out of the house and for Caiden to enjoy the outdoors.”

“The bike will be life changing for Caiden”, says Ayesha Williamson, Executive Director of Variety the Children’s Charity of Northern California. “It will provide him a certain level of independence and will encourage him to be more social with other children. We’re thrilled to be a part of this great change in his life.”

The bike was custom built for Caiden by Freedom Concepts Inc. a company that designs bikes for people with special needs. Caiden is a big fan of the San Francisco Giants and his bike was custom painted orange for that very reason. Representatives from all of the organizations involved presented Caiden with the bike at Salinas Valley Health. According to Al Leighton from Freedom Concepts Inc, “Caiden will be able to use this bike for at least 5 years because it can be adjusted to his physical needs as he grows”.

Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) is a national charity dedicated to helping hospitals help kids. Since partnering with Children’s Miracle Network in 1989, the Salinas Valley Health Foundation has donated over $11 million to children’s medical services throughout the Central Coast. All of the money donated stays local. For more information on how to donate visit www.SalinasValleyHealth.com/salinas-valley-health-foundation/.