By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – One of the greatest childhood memories is riding a bicycle. Many of us may not remember the first time we rode a bike with no training wheels or got our first bike under the Christmas tree. But we can remember laughing with friends, going on long bike rides and exploring the neighborhood.
For Kyle Roush, this memory came a little later in life and it's one he will never forget. At almost 16 years old, Roush received his first bicycle.
"I ride it everyday. I'll never forget my first day riding it. It was May 2, the day after I got it. I rode it from the time I got home from school until the sun went down and I haven't stopped since," he said.
Roush's bike is a little different than most bikes, though. Instead of two wheels, his bikes has three. And, instead of using his legs to peddle, he uses his arms. That's because Roush is confined to a wheelchair. He is paralyzed from the waist down due to Spina Bifida, a birth defect where the spinal column fails to completely close during pregnancy.
Even after undergoing more than 20 surgeries, Roush's spirits remain high.
"I had my first surgery when I was only three hours old. I may have to have another soon because some of the rods in my back may be broken, but I won't know for sure until I go to the doctor. I'm not worried though. Well, maybe a little bit, but I've been through it so much that I try not to let it bother me," he said.
To relieve stress or get things off his mind, Roush turns to his bike. He admits that if it wasn't for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, he may have never had the opportunity he is getting right now.
Roush explained that since the fifth grade, he wanted a bike.
"I found one I really liked. it was for people who couldn't use their legs. The only problem was that it was over $2,000. So, after a while I forgot about it," he said.
Then, in eighth grade, talk of this bicycle came up again when he talked to his teachers about it.
Barbara Milewski, or, Mrs. M as Roush calls her, was an aide at Brandywine schools for many years. Before her retirement, she worked with Roush from the time he was in Kindergarten until fourth grade.
"She knew I wanted the bike. I would always talk about it," he said.
So, Milewski, along with the help of her best friend and Roush's eighth grade teacher, Connie Hughey, came up with some ideas to help Roush in reaching his goal of receiving the bike.
"They mentioned different ways we could try to raise funds for the bike. After a while, it didn't work, so Mrs. Hughey told me about the Make-A-Wish web site and said I should go there and tell my story, so I did," Roush said.
Within just one week, he received a phone call from an employee at Make A Wish who said they were interested in helping him out.
"It was a waiting game for a while, because I didn't hear anything. Then one day I got a brouchure in the mail about the bicycle and they told me it would arrive on May 10 of this year," Roush said.
May 10 came faster than he expected, and on May 1, his dream had finally arrived.
"It was a bad day at school and I came home to find huge box sitting at my house. It was the bike, It came early. I was so excited. We had to put it together, which took most of that night, but the next day, as soon as I got home from school, I went for my first bike ride," he said.
Roush admitted that day changed his life and gave him a sense of reliability.
"I can get around on my own. For so long I have had to depend on people for things and now I can actually go out on my own and do things I want to do," he said.
Milewski lives only a few houses down from Roush in the Fulkerson Park neighborhood and said the two have remained very close over the years.
"It's so nice watching him on that bike. He loves it. And everyone in the neighborhood gets a kick out of watching him ride it. We're all so happy for him. I admire his spunk and stamina," Milewski said.
Roush said "Mrs. M" was always there for him when he needed help, but as he got older, he started depending on himself more and didn't need her assistance as much. That hasn't stopped the two from keeping in touch, as Roush explained he still stops to talk to her all the time about life, school things and whatever else strikes up in the conversation.
"I had a stroke two years ago and he was my inspiration to fight back. He's just like any other kid his age, but his outlook on life is amazing. He will definitely go somewhere someday," she added.
Right now, the only place Roush plans on going is different parts of the neighborhood. He's even become a little fearless on his bike and admits he's scared himself a few times.
"It's fast, very fast and I've had a few close calls. I flipped it once going down a hill too fast. I was shaking for hours after it happened. Another time, I got the handle bars going a little too quick and they came off. So, I was just kind of sitting there, wondering what to do next. My cell phone didn't work, but I eventually made it back," he said.
Roush will turn 16 on Oct. 6 and he said many people have asked him if he is excited about drivers training or getting his drivers license. Right now, he said that's not a big concern for him.
"The bike is all I need. It gets me to where I need to go and it has taught me a huge responsibility. I take care of it, clean it everyday and it also is building my strength in my arms and upper body. A car won't do that," he added.
His advice to all bikers – "Wear a helmet! Even though I still don't sometimes, if I know I'm going to be going down bigger hills, I bring it with me," he said.