Girl with special needs gets a sweet new ride

A fundraiser to buy a new bike for a 4-year-old girl with special needs from Grand Rapids, Mich., who has family in the area was a success last month at Buechler Farms in Belgium. Avery Jean Meyers (above, center and at right) had her new bike delivered this week. The fundraiser, which included food, games, music, raffles, a silent auction and magic show, eclipsed its goal of $2,500. Extra money was given to other children’s charities in Grand Rapids. About 100 people attended the fundraiser. Avery had a seizure when she was 6 months old and it was discovered she has polymicrogyria, a deformity of the brain. More tests revealed that she also has alternating hemiplegia of childhood, causing different parts of her body to be paralyzed anywhere from a few seconds to days. Avery’s new bike allows her to be strapped in and pushed from behind.                             Left photo by Sam Arendt