Skeeter joins Ambucks for disabled East Texas children

Al Bingham, 20-year Longview Ambucks veteran, helps Luke Gentry, four-year-old AmTryke recipient from Tyler, ride his very own AmTryke, yesterday, when Skeeter donated therapeutic tricycles to five disabled East Texas children. For the fourth year in a row, Skeeter yesterday joined Longview Ambucks to donate five different therapeutic tricycles to disabled East Texas children.

One such child was Luke Gentry, a four-year-old from Tyler, whose disability has kept him from riding bikes alongside his brother Sam for too long.

Luke was born with a virus that caused weakness in the left side of his body.

Heather Gentry, Luke's mother, said the AmTryke Luke received should change Luke's life dramatically.

"Up until now, Luke has only been able to ride a bike in therapy," Gentry said. "He has never ridden a bike by himself and typical tricycles are to small for him. This gift from Skeeter and Ambucks will give him a lot more independence."

Gentry said the AmTryke will also afford her family the opportunity to do some therapy with Luke at home, similar to the therapy he receives in a clinical setting at East Texas Children's Thera- py Services.

On the AmTryke, Luke is fastened into a low-backed seat, his feet are strapped to foot pedals, his left hand is held in place on the hand pedals with a special glove and his head is outfitted with a safety helmet. The AmTryke works both sides of Luke's body, as well as his arms and legs, simultaneously.

While Skeeter and Ambucks officials watched, Luke made pass after pass along the long hallway, with a never-faltering ear-to-ear grin.

Helping the family as Luke set off on his first ride was Al Bingham, 20-year Ambucks veteran, who helped organize the AmTryke program in the 90s.

"It is just a great pleasure to take part in this event," Bingham said. "The AmTryke brings a lot of joy to young recipients."

Luke requested the opportunity to ride his new bike outside and once he made it to the sidewalk, he was off on an adventure — at an even steadier pace — and free in the wind and sun.

"I like my bike," Luke said. "I'm going to ride outside at my house with Covey (Covey Johnson, Luke's cousin) and Sam (Luke's big brother).

Covey came to Skeeter to take part in this occasion with his cousin, as did Luke's grandmother, Glenda Johnson.

Jim Robinson, AmTryke Committee president, invites any business wishing to participate in the AmTryke program by giving away an AmTryke, to call him at 903-758-1911.