The eight-year-old, who was diagnosed with an extremely rare genetic disorder from birth, is making the most of his new trike, donated by the City of Adelaide Lions Club.
And his smile is catching with his proud mum Nadine delighted with the level of independence the mode of transport has given her son.
“The generosity from the Lions has been amazing,” said the 39-year-old at her home in Kidman Park.
“He doesn’t go very far on the trike, just to and from school, with me.
“But it gives him exercise and allows him to ride with his younger sister Charlotte,” Nadine said.
It’s not the first time the City of Adelaide Lions Club has helped Aiden.
Four years ago they donated his first trike but he has since grown out of it so needed a larger version.
The upgraded trike cost just over $3200 and arrived last November; a perfect early Christmas present.
Nadine is optimistic her son will continue to build his strength with the trike and eventually pedal himself’
“Now that would be a significant milestone. It’s a long way off and it may not happen but anything is possible,” she said.
The Australian Lions Children’s Mobility Foundation greatly appreciates the support of Lions Clubs around Australia who assist with the provision of a wide variety of mobility devices which immediately improve the life styles of the recipients and their families.
PDG Bryan Hearn OAM JP, V/Chair, LMRF and the SA Trustee of the Lions Mobility Foundation, said,
“It’s a wonderfully heart-warming sensation to witness the smile on a child’s face when they first experience a sense of mobility on a newly acquired mobility device.”
“Getting kids mobile is a wonderful example of Lions delivering community service and is a project that all Lions clubs can be proud of and one that they can so easily be involved in with great success.”
In the C Districts alone nearly 20 of these devices have been provided over the past 12 months and nationally close to $90,000 expenditure has been incurred in the provision of such devices.
One of the Foundation’s greatest sponsors is the Australian Lions Stamp Club.
All Lions members and Lions Clubs are urged to collect used postage stamps and forward to the Stamp Club who later auction them and donate funds raised to the ALCMF.
More information on the Stamp Club can be found on page 18 of the current MD directory.
“Walk with Pride is the motto of our Foundation,” Bryan said.
“This not only applies to the children who receive a device but can equally apply to those committed Lions and Lions Clubs who support the Foundation with donations and the purchase of recognition awards as well contributing stamps to the Stamp Club.
“The success of this program is Lionism at its best,” he said.