Local charity helping more special needs kids ride bikes

United Cerebral Palsy of the Inland Empire is giving special needs children experiences they wouldn’t otherwise have.

The organization providing adaptive bikes to children across the Coachella Valley.

Annmarie Mann is preparing for her fifth ride in the Tour de Palm Springs.

Something her mom thought she’d never be able to do.

“Because of her disabilities and motor skills are really weak, she’s legally blind. So we didn’t think it was ever going to be possible for her to ride a regular bike,” Loni Mann said.

UCP gave Annmarie the wheels five years ago.

Since then the organization is changing the lives of so many more.

“We started with one and we now have well over 50 and a waiting list needless to say for them. Because they are such a treasure to a child who has never had the ability to be out of a wheelchair,” said UCP President and CEO Greg Wetmore.

At Saturday’s tour another boy will get his wheels.

Now more special needs children are riding with Annmarie.

“They had the one mile started the next year and that year she was able to go through the finish line and get her medal and everything,” Mann said.

The bikes bring kids out of their shells.

“Annmarie was a very shy, very withdrawn young lady and as you’ve discovered today is far from that now. She can speak for herself, she can articulate and she’s much more comfortable with herself than she was four five years ago,” Wetmore said.

Giving children the freedom to enjoy life’s important milestones.

“We have philosophy here that’s called life without limits. Our children can do anything, go anywhere. They’re not restricted by anything, other than other people’s restrictions on them,” Wetmore said.

But probably the most important take away of all, Annmarie said she feels like every other kid when she’s on her bike.

Festivities for the Tour de Palm Springs kick off Friday night and continue through Saturday.

The first race begins at 6:30 Saturday morning.